Former Iraq General Paints Rosy Picture of Falluja

[Barrett808]

Former Iraq General Paints Rosy Picture of Falluja
By Michael Georgy

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - One of Saddam Hussein's former generals entrusted with taming Falluja said Wednesday he hoped to impose security in the country's most rebellious town without firing a single bullet.

"The best strategy is to get what you want without firing a single bullet," said Gen. Muhammad Latif after discussing the fate of the troubled town with a top U.S. Marine commander.

"I consider this the best strategy in history," said Latif.

He painted a bright picture of the task of calming people infuriated by a month-long U.S. siege and fierce battles that have killed hundreds of people in the city west of Baghdad.

He also played down the role of foreign fighters that U.S. Marines blame for some of the violence gripping Iraq and the challenge of retrieving heavy weapons that the Americans have been demanding from guerrillas for weeks.

"Maybe there are some, more than 30 kicked underground and the others escaped. I didn't see anyone and I have no information on anyone," said Latif as he left a dusty makeshift meeting area.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040505/wl_nm/iraq_falluja_latif_dc&cid=574&ncid=1480

[Wright Patman]

1. It was the "foreign fighters"

who laid siege to Falluja to begin with after four "foreign mercs" were ambushed. We tend to forget that this is not our country and should never have been our fight.

Those who occupy Iraq are imperialist storm troopers deployed by a regime which is determined to one day outdo Nazi Germany (Arabs=Jews)in terms of its abuses. And it will, unless we the people can remove it from office. I am not all that optimistic that we will. We have a critical mass developing of "good Germans" out in the heartland or "homeland" or whatever is the preferred designation of the American Reich.

[Alpharetta]

2. would you underwrite a life insurance policy for this man?

He must be pretty confident of his security.

[oblivious]

3. It's kinda funny isn't it.

He's just so confident, like he knows everything, like he controls everything, like he's the man.

[Robbien]

4. His only real enemy is the hired mercenaries in Iraq

His men would be able to recognize on sight any "foreign" fighters and will be able to take care of them. So as long as he doesn't irritate BushCo, he is probably safe.

[Alpharetta]

6. I'm not so sure.

Iraqis cooperating with the occupiers are sometimes targeted by Shiite who want to force elections (where Shiite is the majority) instead of settling into U.S. control by Sunni proxy.

[hedda_foil]

5. Check this out!

Asked if he was in contact with insurgents or reached a deal with them, Latif said: "There is no agreement with them whatsoever but when there is peace the enemies of peace escape."

[radwriter0555]

7. aside from death, murder, mayhem, everything is FINE.. what's the

problem?

Everything is going as planned.