Strongman Allawi to tough it out

[leftchick]

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=196344&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/

<snip>

He is strongly backed in private by both US and British diplomats because he supports their policies in Iraq and keeping him as prime minister would provide continuity. He is also well known to their governments, not least because he worked with the CIA and MI6 in the opposition years.

"He has managed the affairs of the government during a very difficult transitional period," said John Negroponte, the US ambassador to Baghdad. "He is a very courageous guy," said a senior British official in Baghdad. "He inherited a pretty difficult set of circumstances and he has stuck at it and achieved quite a lot."

Perhaps his biggest achievement since taking power at the end of June last year has been to cultivate an image of strength. Allegations emerged that he had shot dead six Iraqi detainees in a police station. Allawi denied the charge, but rumours spread and boosted his credibility.

<snip>

In the meantime, Allawi is running a high-profile political campaign. He enjoys the benefits of office in a US-appointed and US-guarded government, including US military Blackhawk helicopters to fly him out to brief public appearances. He has made repeated radio and television appearances and conveniently timed announcements like the capture of a key insurgent suspect.



Notice the US$ paid mercs as well.

[Bob3]

1. well fed pink and oily yes - tough? I don't think so.

N/T

[Bob3]

2. well fed pink and oily yes - tough? I don't think so.

N/T
please delete dup for some reason.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. Gee I wonder who's going to win Sunday

You think it might be Allawi?

How many other candidates in Iraq did the US give this sort of support too?

Democracy in Iraq does not include buying the Iraqi's a new strongman. Democracy in Iraq is an election where none of the candidates receive direct support with their campaign from the US occupiers and they all get the same level of protection.

What we are doing in Iraq right now is a deadly sham.

I want to see Allawi without his US guards and money. Then let's see how tough he is.

[saigon68]

8. He would last a Nano-Second without his hundreds of Mercenaries

Provided by Black-Water, Clear-Water and Bilge-Water.

LOL

I love how these fuckers with their sawed off M-16s strut around at $2000.00 per day.

[Boosterman]

4. WTF?

<resnip>
Perhaps his biggest achievement since taking power at the end of June last year has been to cultivate an image of strength. Allegations emerged that he had shot dead six Iraqi detainees in a police station. Allawi denied the charge, but rumours spread and boosted his credibility.
<resnip>

Just thought that part needed to be emphasized. His credibility?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

14. Saddam had a history of doing exactly the same thing

mostly to people who disagreed with him at meetings (he'd supposedly invite them into a private conversation in an anteroom, but only he'd returm), and he was deemed to be too evil to remain in power.

[katinmn]

5. He's learning from the best

"...and conveniently timed announcements like the capture of a key insurgent suspect."

[bemildred]

6. The correct word is "Stooge" . nt

[clem_c_rock]

7. Let him walk down the street of Bagdad for 20 minutes by himself

and watch how strong the world's most pathetic puppet is.

[cthrumatrix]

9. wasn't Allawi in his past part of Saddams "secret police"...?

[clem_c_rock]

13. Yeah - he was and he was also involved in terrorist activities

Which, if we use the US's definition of terrorist, makes him 100% terrorist.

[central scrutinizer]

10. Allawi is Arabic for Quisling

nfm

[David__77]

11. A disgrace to the people of Iraq.

The occupation authorities will have to pay a lot of money to corrupt "legislators" to keep this man in "power," if it is even possible. Of course, he has no power really, as he is a puppet. I am so sorry for this country's actions--I apologize to the Iraqi people.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

12. StrongMan? yeah. right.

LOL