Basra Leader Calls for Detainees' Release

[maddezmom]

BASRA, Iraq - Basra's governor threatened Friday to stop dealing with British forces unless they release several Iraqis detained this week, including policemen suspected of links to local killings and kidnappings.

Gov. Mohammed al-Waeli also called for a demonstration Sunday outside the British consulate in downtown Basra, Iraq's second-largest city 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.

The men were detained Tuesday in a joint Iraqi-British operation that followed a surge of roadside bombings and other violent acts targeting British troops, Iraqi security forces and local citizens in Basra, the main base for British forces in Iraq. Basra's police force has long been believed to have been infiltrated by Shiite militiamen.

"Basra's provincial council and all government offices will suspend all kinds of dealings with the (British) forces at all levels if they don't release the detainees," al-Waeli told The Associated Press.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060127/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_britain;_

[leftchick]

1. what now? lock the governor up as well?

this is such a lost cause. I read yesterday of yet another kidnapping with the kidnappers in police uniforms. It isn't going to stop. Bring them home.

[sabra]

2. things are really on the up and up...

:sarcasm: