Al Qaeda building political arm in Iraq: General

[Barrett808]

Al Qaeda building political arm in Iraq: General
By Alister Bull

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda wants to build a political operation in Iraq to broaden its campaign against the U.S.-backed government, a top U.S. general said on Wednesday.

Citing intelligence mostly gathered since the death of al Qaeda's former leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in June, Major General William Caldwell said the militant group appeared to be refining its approach beyond bombings and beheadings.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq wants to present itself as a legitimate organization and is striving to increase its operational power by building a political base with a military wing," Caldwell told a news briefing. He did not give specific examples.

Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike on June 7 and was quickly replaced by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, who al Qaeda said would continue the Jordanian-born militant's bloody campaign.

But Caldwell said the group was also developing more subtle ways to undermine the government and drive U.S. troops from Iraq, in addition to bloody sectarian attacks.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060816/ts_nm/iraq_qaeda_dc

[BOSSHOG]

1. I think its fair to say

that this development would not have occurred if Saddam were still in charge. So, we are fighting al quaeda because they are evil yet Hussein would have kept them in a relatively weaker position in the reason then bush ever will. And yet, the sissyfied bush base is cringing in fear of whom? The monster that bush's foreign policy is feeding.

[Barrett808]

2. Saddam was our bulwark against political Islam

As odious as he was, he was quite convenient, from the perspective of political expedience.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Bush the Uniter! - just no bounds to GWB's talents!!!!!

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Interesting tidbit from the article:

"Al Qaeda makes up about five percent of Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgency but its suicide bombers have been responsible for some of the worst violence, often killing over 100 people in a single attack. Adding a political dimension to its campaign did not mean the group was about to end violence.

"Al Qaeda in Iraq realizes killing of innocent Iraqi civilians has damaged their public support and is working to reverse that perception."
____________________________________________________________________

So what did whoever came up with this 5% thing do?

Interview all the "insurgents" and ask them if they were Al Qaeda or not?

oh right - they all have to fill out a form before they get a weapon . .

silly me

[saigon68]

4. William Caldwell smoke Crack

And does lines of Coke

The man has lost his mind

[kenny blankenship]

5. This shows we're making progress right?

[rodeodance]

8. it sure does!

[CollegeDUer]

6. In 10 years we'll be fighting someone who was born out of this conflict

and again it'll be all their fault and none of ours.

[951-Riverside]

7. How come the US Military is always updating us on Al Qaeda?

They don't give real organizations like Hamas the same sort of publicity.

[rodeodance]

9. they want it baked into your brain come Nov. got it!!