Shipment of high explosives intercepted in Iraq

[ECH1969]

Tonight, there’s disturbing information that some of the most sophisticated of these deadly weapons are reportedly coming from Iran.

U.S. military and intelligence officials tell NBC News that American soldiers intercepted a large shipment of high explosives, smuggled into northeastern Iraq from Iran only last week.

The officials say the shipment contained dozens of "shaped charges" manufactured recently. Shaped charges are especially lethal because they’re designed to concentrate and direct a more powerful blast into a small area. “They’ll go right through a very heavily armored vehicle like an M1-A1 tank from one side right out the other side,” says retired U.S. Army General Barry McCaffrey.

Iran’s Shiite government has also struck up a seemingly strange alliance with Sunni insurgents to try to drive the American military out of Iraq.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8829929/
----------------------------------------------

I guess Bolten has got to the UN just in time, the timing seems amazing doesn't it?

[Kraklen]

1. It couldn't be scripted better.

[shraby]

2. Isn't that convenient!

Just when the administration starts beating the drums toward Iran, they find a shipment of explosives coming from Iran. They think we're stupid or sumpin?
Also they just discovered about "shaped charges" and these just happen to be shaped charges. WoW.

edited to add.

[Skink]

5. I bet Bolton isn't surprised...

:nuke:

[rodeodance]

45. and a MIchael Ledeen comment also in this article:

......And Thursday, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld accused Iran of attempting to derail the democratic process in Iraq.

Iran’s Shiite government has also struck up a seemingly strange alliance with Sunni insurgents to try to drive the American military out of Iraq.

"They are desperate to get us out of Iraq” says Michael Ledeen, author of "The War Against the Terror Masters" and resident scholar in the Freedom Chair at the American Enterprise Institute. “If we succeed in Iraq they will be surrounded by elected governments.”

Military officials acknowledge that these explosives are only the tip of the iceberg... and predict the deadly bombings in Iraq are far from over.

[StrafingMoose]

58. This guy, Ledeen, wrote a book..

tying terrorism to the Soviet Union. The CIA went out and said "Uh, buddy your book is based on black propaganda we used to smear the Soviets, it's not _true_."

:rofl:

[StrafingMoose]

56. Indeed, koolaid..

Iran is Shia, the new Iraqi govt has Shias well placed in it. UNLESS, the new Iraqi govt is overtly trying to expell USA with Iranian hardware, this news makes no sense.

Iraq is now signing defense contracts, civilian infrastructure contracts, etc. with Iran

[Bigmack]

3. It could even be true!...

But who'd believe anything that comes out of this (mis-)administration? I wouldn't believe if I'd been there when the charges were found.

Thanks for making the US the target for every whackjob in the world, Shrub.

[okieinpain]

59. well why wouldn't iran want us out of iraq. they know with this group

of nut cases in charge they are going to be the next target whether they try to help or not. if I was in their shoes I'd be shipping everything I could get my hands on.

I'm surprised that anybody is surprised. man what a dumb fucking country we live in.

[barb162]

63. If Iraq is destabilized to the point there is no civil order, it does

noone in the Mideast or Iraq or Iran any good

[okieinpain]

65. and we're the ones destabilizing the middle east.

[barb162]

66. Right now, I would say the US interest

is to see the Iraq Constitution get passed and that the new government there succeeds (whether I agree with sharia or not). The Iraqi people have expressed their will in a ballot box in a free election. The people doing the roadside and suicide bombings I think are trying to destabilize the new Iraqi government, not the US.

[okieinpain]

75. hahahahahaha.. hahahahahaha.. hahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!

[barb162]

76. I am so glad you think suicide bombers being so active in Iraq

lately is so funny

[okieinpain]

77. it is pretty funny when you think about it.

[barb162]

78. I see nothing funny about people killing each other

[okieinpain]

79. well to me it's like this, we where warned not to go into iraq, yet

we go and and are surprised that there are suicide bombers.

It's almost as funny as saying we know they are taking the WMD's out the back door, while we're going in the front door. yet nobody never asks why don't we have someone watching the back door. Wow, funny shit.

[barb162]

80. UN arms inspectors should have been allowed to complete

their job on WMD. Then monkey would have had to find a different reason to actually invade. But the last 2 years have been tragic for the numbers of deaths and injuries. Despite the US Invasion, the soldiers are still trying to support the new ELECTED government there (at least it isn't ayatollahs or dictators...yet). Noone forces suicide bombers to strap explosives on their bodies. As Pres. Carter mentioned in his speech last week, the terrorists use Iraq as an excuse. Well, the terrorists and insurgents are now working for weakening or destroying a freely elected government.

[okieinpain]

82. well if they (gov) can't stop drugs from coming into the country,

they what in the hell makes them think that we can occupy a country like iraq. I understand where you're coming from about the deaths, but it's just so funny that a person won't take advise from their parent.

It's like me telling one of my kids, hey don't go to that party, because the people that are going to be there are trouble. then dumbass goes any way and is amazed that there is trouble. funny shit.

[glaucon]

4. BS

"U.S. military and intelligence officials tell NBC News..."

In other words, this "scoop" aint worth didly squat.

How pathetic. They're so goddamned predictable.

With regards to: "Iran’s Shiite government has also struck up a seemingly strange alliance with Sunni insurgents to try to drive the American military out of Iraq."

Almost ALL Iraqis are united in trying to "drive the American military out of Iraq." More propoganda bull...

[ECH1969]

6. I actually believe it is true

Every country in the Middle East is helping the insurgents Iran, Syria, but mostly our allies Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

[Tin Man]

25. I agree - it could very well have happened

You know, the U.S and the Islamic Republic of Iran haven't even been on speaking terms for about 36 years.

So, do ya think that maybe, just maybe - the Iranians might be a little bit peeved to suddenly find the U.S. as a nextdoor neighbor?

If the Hells Angels moved in to my 'hood, I'd be looking for ways to discretely fight back, too.

[Jawja]

49. Exactly.

Someone is arming them, because their explosives have gotten more powerful. Welcome to WWIII, started by George W. Bush.

[Tin Man]

51. One of history's great ironies...

Seldom does war achieve what the aggressor actually intended.

Iraq is just another shining example of the Law of Unintended Consequences in action. While the PNACers envisioned an "injection" of democracy would "innoculate" the MiddleEast against spawning future terrorists - exactly the opposite has occured.

[SOS]

54. Not necessarily

Iraq, while having no WMD, was a conventional arms depot.
The 350 metric tons of explosives stolen from the unsecured Al Kakaa arms facility could keep the insurgents in business for years with no outside help from anyone.

[NNN0LHI]

50. Did you believe that Iraq was full of WMDs too?

Just curious.

Don

[K-W]

68. Why would Iran, whos allies are in charge of Iraq

be giving bombs to the insurgents?

You dont see some cognitive dissonence with Iran's ties to Jafaari and this story?

[Boo Boo]

32. This is the part that makes me think there's something fishy

about this. I don't think Sunni insurgents would strike up an alliance with Iran---that would indeed be very strange. Selling some explosives, or Iran looking the other way as weapons are smuggled across their borders does not an alliance make. If the interdiction is real, then I suspect that persons inside the Pentagon are trying to spin this alliance angle, for obvious reasons.

[oneighty]

7. Wonder if the charges

have a mfg tag on them. You know weight, type of explosive, lot number, quality control sticker, mfg date, city and country of origin.

I bet

[annabanana]

8. I call bullshit!

This is the first rat-a-tat-tat of the drumbeat to war on Iran. This is why Bolton's at the UN...The neocons want to go in BAD.. and they want to go in BIG...(wth their handy dandy little "strategic nukes" just tailor-made for the occasion.

[okieinpain]

60. yep, because they are running out of time.

[KeepItReal]

9. It happened last week?? Where's the pics and video then?

What unit caught these guys?

Where's the beef??

[0007]

10. cough cough.......Can you believe this horse shit?

Military officials say there’s only one use for shaped charges — to kill American forces — and insurgents started using them in Iraq with deadly effectiveness three months ago.

Intelligence officials believe the high-explosives were shipped into Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary guard or the terrorist group Hezbollah, but are convinced it could not have happened without the full consent of the Iranian government.

Ah, we must call John Bolton to the rescue!

[LisaM]

24. Are they going to target Ohio units, specifically?

As was suggested on FR yesterday (I forget why the insurgents were picking on Ohians .....)

[Syncronaut Seven]

40. Military officials say there’s only one use for shaped charges — to kill A

Military officials say there’s only one use for shaped charges — to kill American forces.

Now there's an intelligent statement for a national media outlet to make. Wonder if they made that up themselves. I always thought high explosives were indiscriminate in who they killed.

[BootinUp]

11. My initial reaction is that this is bullshit.

Its hard to believe anything from un-named government or military sources these days.

[alarcojon]

55. or even named sources!

It's hard to believe anything any of these asshats have to say.

[madeline_con]

12. "... reportedly coming from Iran."

Geez, Louise!

Can we get the equivalent of the DSM on this B4 the war starts, PLEASE?

Let's all email Blair and Straw, and get on this immediately.

[annabanana]

13. AHEM..... Hey! ...... BIG MEDIA!!!!

Do your DAMN job!! Jeebus..

[still_one]

14. this is the lie, er, reason, to justify invading Iran?

what will our wonderful democrats in congress do?

We MUST support the president, or

We cannot trust what comes out of this administration

[Chicago Democrat]

15. I SMELL A PRETEXT FOR IRAN WAR phase I... The Air Campaign

We can't be played again!

[still_one]

16. As novak would say

BULLSHIT

[annabanana]

17. nominated..... HEY.... LOOKIE OVER HERE

you lazy corporate whores..........

[Career Prole]

18. Bullshit. n/t

[medeak]

19. Iran Iraq signed defense agreement?

Maybe this is part of it?

[halobeam]

20. That's exactly what my husband just said...

he read Enemy of my enemy is my enemy on the homepage page here at DU... says Cheney was chumped.... I have to catch up on my reading... I'm getting lost here already, and I do as of right now believe this is phase I conditions for Iran invasion. Damn..

[NNN0LHI]

21. Are these the same intelligence officials who said Iraq had WMDs? n/t

[EVDebs]

35. ROFLOL !!!!!!!! eom

[Amonester]

22. How many billions of barrels of oil are there in Iran? (nt)

:mad:

[GregW]

23. For once, something * said is in fact true ...

In the lead up to the 2000 (s)election he claimed he was a 'uniter' .... I just wish he had been more specific on who was uniting with who ...

"Iran’s Shiite government has also struck up a seemingly strange alliance with Sunni insurgents to try to drive the American military out of Iraq."

[dave502d]

26. Hear they go.n/t

[davepc]

27. Iran has a lot to gain from a destabilized Iraq

and very little to gain form a stabilized American puppet state Iraq.

Why is it automatically suspect that Iran would be actively working to keep Iraq destabilized?

I dint get the big deal about shaped charge "warheads" they've been around since the end of world war II and any country with a reasonably modern arms industry can manufacture them.

You know, the world isn't all puppy dogs, ice cream, and lollipops except for the big bad brutal evil united states. Other nations conduct not-so nice foreign policy/military operations to benefit their own self interests. Iran is no different.

If I was the head of Iran, I'd be doing everything I could to weakin the US poisition in Iraq.

[Barrett808]

31. But I think Iran only needs to manipulate the political scene

I don't think fomenting insurrection in Anbar is necessarily in Iran's interest. Iran's political warfare campaign has been spectacularly successful -- why jeopardize it by risking just this kind of discovery?

It smells of manufactured provocation to me, but I'm holding open the possibility that Iranian elements are behind it.

[Tin Man]

34. Iran doesn't want the US nextdoor.

It makes sense to me that the Iranians would clandestinely support the Iraqi insurgency in order to see the US expelled from the region.

In fact, the US has used exactly the same strategy on many occasions - clandestinely supporting insurgencies in Nicauragua and Cuba for example. Hell, for that matter, the CIA even installed the former Shah of Iran through a coup d'etat in 1953.

[davepc]

41. but the chance that their political maneuvering can be undermined

by a strong american military presence that can strong arm the political factions that Iran is trying to organize.

By working on both the military and political fronts they can entrench their position, and keep a full court press on the American efforts.

Not only does the American interests need to deal with a strong well funded and supported insurgency and muslim militias it has to deal with a more or less unified islamic political movement that gets its marching orders from Iran.

Iran can run the risk of outing its support because quite frankly with all the American saber rattling in their direction we've forced their hand anyways.

If somebody is *already* accusing you of doing something you don't really lose any ground by actually doing it.

[tabasco]

28. Tommy Franks gave them all the explosives they need.

The HE looted from al-Qaaqaa was plenty to last the insurgents for years. Franks could have secured the facility with one squad but was too busy planning his victory parade.

MSNBC is whoring for the administration again.

[Barrett808]

29. Nice little Ledeen quote at the end:

"They are desperate to get us out of Iraq. If we succeed in Iraq they will be surrounded by elected governments.”

Delusion or deception? You decide.

[PunkPop]

62. Tough question.

I'll go with delusion.

Or, deception.

Oh shit, both??

[zippy890]

30. I don't believe anything this gov't says

In fact, my first reaction is that the US concocted this scenario.

[Amonester]

39. "the US concocted this scenario"

Bolton, Cheney, Rumsfailed, and Big Oil concocted this scenario...

Since when does the PNAC gangsters are the US?

(Since they stole all elections since 2000. Alright. Sorry...) :hangover:

[KittyWampus]

33. They Don't NEED Iranian Explosives.They Got The Ones We Left Unguarded

immediately after the fall of Saddam because Bush, Rumsfeld and the rest of the stupid morons didn't send in enough troops.

[VegasWolf]

36. Exactly, when the bunkers were left unlocked and unguarded! Children,

repeat, "Bush is the stupidest president of the US ever and
forever!"

[glitch]

37. So is this guy the new Judy Miller, or is she writing under a pseudonym

from prison?

As the above poster said, this story could true but who on earth would believe them?

[VegasWolf]

38. How convenient! nt

[bemildred]

42. Oooooh. "disturbing information".

Can you say "Gulf of Tonkin incident" anyone?

[billyoc]

43. "Remember the Maine!" n/t

[bemildred]

47. "yellow cake", "yellow cake". nt

[StaggerLee]

74. jumping baby out of an incubator!

Put on yer waders it's gettin' deep!

[jsamuel]

44. I call this BULLSHIT!

fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix fix

[daleo]

46. It could be that someone is giving a little help.

It wouldn't be unprecedented - the U.S. gave weapons aplenty to the Afghanistan anti-Soviet rebels. It wasn't deemed wrong then.

Bush, Bolton, et al would love a war with Iran, or at least they think they would. I doubt if the U.S. military wants another fight though, or even if they could handle one.

[bemildred]

48. Yeah, actually, I'd be surprised if there were not some truth to this.

But the "manufactured shaped charges" dialog seemed a bit over the top to me.

[daleo]

53. Yes, a bit of "shaped charges of mass destruction"

It may be the seed lie from which a mighty oak lie will spring, as far as neo-con war with Iran goes.

[cyberpj]

52. But Iran made an agreement with Iraq to help out - remember?

Iraq Signs Military Pact with Iran

Headlines : International
Iraq Signs Military Pact with Iran
Thu, 7 Jul 2005 22:11:20 -0700Summary:

Here’s an update: The “democratically elected” government of Iraq, much-ballyhooed by the Bush adminstration and its toadies, has signed an agreement of military cooperation with current Bush public enemy number one, Iran.

In other news, 100 “democratically elected” members of the Iraqi parliament have signed a petition demanding that the US withdraw its forces from Iraq immediately.


By Neil MacDonald in Baghdad and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran
Republished from Financial Times

Iraq signs a pact in Tehran agreeing to accept Iranian military training and other cooperation.

Former foes Iraq and Iran announced “a new chapter” in their relations on Thursday, including cross-border military co-operation, dismissing US concerns about Iranian regional meddling.

On his first official visit to Tehran, Iraqi minister of defence Saadoun al-Dulaimi asserted his country’s sovereign right to seek help from wherever it sees fit in rebuilding its defence capabilities.

“Nobody can dictate to Iraq its relations with other countries,” Mr Dulaimi said in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Admiral Ali Shamkhani.

The two ministers said that a military co-operation agreement, now in the preparation, would include Iranian help with training and upgrading Iraq’s reconstituted armed forces, a process so far overseen by US and coalition advisers.

http://www.gnn.tv/headlines/3670/Iraq_Signs_Military_Pact_with_Iran

[ewagner]

57. How cynical I've become

I can't see a story like this without thinking I'm being manipulated by Bush, the media, the big oil companies or ....hell.... I don't even know who else.....

[geckosfeet]

61. During the Viet Nam era, (history anyone?) the NVA was always

scurrying across the borders to Laos and Cambodia and one would have to assume China.

Why should it come as a surprise that there is insurgent activity across all the border countries of Iraq including Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait? I think Afghanistan and Pakistan are givens.

Is this administration so arrogant, to full of their own hubris that they thought for one micro-second the border countries would seal out the insurgents?

Even if this is a trumped up staged incident for MSM consumption you can be sure that there insurgent activity taking place across borders. This is just another reason why when you go to war, you need to make sure that you have international support and investment.

[Chicago Democrat]

64. All they are looking for is someone else to blame for their own failure

Blame brown people...

[bemildred]

67. Yes, a major factor that is too often not considered: butt covering. nt

[geckosfeet]

81. Who are they blaming? The bomb factories in Iran? Even if Iran was on

board when this mess started (however unlikely that is) it would not have made one bit of difference. It is the middle east, not the south side.

After so many fuck ups one after the other their asses are so exposed its ridiculous. They would need something pretty big to cover up now. The failure of the Iraq war is just another albatross around the neck of the US.

[leesa]

69. Was Cheney or the Carlisle Group trying to make a little cash on the side?

[floda]

70. already debunked twice!

here:

http://www.juancole.com/2005/08/fool-me-once-shame-on-you-fool-me-cant.html

The bizarre report by Jim Miklaszewski of NBC news that US military sources are saying Iran is the source of more sophisticated bombs used by Sunni Arab guerrillas in Iraq seems so unbelievable because it is. Poor Jim is the victim of a high-level Department of Defense black psy-ops operation (or perhaps such an operation has been supplied by a sub-contractor). You wonder if it is Doug Feith's parting gift to the American people-- laying the groundwork for a war with Iran.

This is the give-away sentence:


' Intelligence officials believe the high-explosives were shipped into Iraq by the Iranian Revolutionary guard or the terrorist group Hezbollah, but are convinced it could not have happened without the full consent of the Iranian government.


Earlier in the article it was alleged that the supposedly captured shipment came from northeastern Iran. Yet by this later paragraph, the US military intelligence guys can't tell whether it came from the west or the east, or whether it came from Iran or Hizbullah. But if you don't know whether something comes from Lebanon or Iran, then you really don't know where it came from at all, do you? Lebanon and Iran are not like each other. One speaks Persian, the other Arabic. Why, they aren't even close to one another.

more...



and here

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050805/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_iran

WASHINGTON - The commander of British-led forces in southeastern Iraq said Friday that concerns about Iranian efforts to influence events in Iraq are based more on speculation than on facts.

Dutton was asked what evidence he has seen of harmful Iranian involvement in Iraq since the fall of Baghdad in 2003.

"The question of Iranian involvement is always a difficult one because there's a lot of speculation about it and not many facts," Dutton said. He said, for example, that it is unclear whether Iran is moving weapons into Iraq.

Dutton said Iraqi authorities 10 days ago made a large seizure of illegal weapons on Route 6, which runs north from Basra to Amarah in Maysan province.

"We don't know exactly where that came from," he said. "We are keen to find out and investigations are ongoing. There have been suggestions that they could have come from Iran, but I certainly can't prove that."

[Jose Diablo]

71. Bolton UN appointment timing?

Yes.

Onward to Tehran, let freedom reign or something like that.

Onward Christian Soldiers
Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924


1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
(Refrain)

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
(Refrain)


I tell you, these guys in PNAC are gonna be our undoing.

[me b zola]

72. Here's a different way to view this

A July 7th article saying that 100 members of the Iraqi government are demanding the immediate withdraw of American forces from Iraq.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4058831

Iraq signs a pact in Tehran agreeing to accept Iranian military training and other cooperation.

Former foes Iraq and Iran announced “a new chapter” in their relations on Thursday, including cross-border military co-operation, dismissing US concerns about Iranian regional meddling.

On his first official visit to Tehran, Iraqi minister of defense Saadoun al-Dulaimi asserted his country’s sovereign right to seek help from wherever it sees fit in rebuilding its defense capabilities.

~snip~

***********************

So this gets buried in the US media (there is one US source for this article, link in the comments section of the thread). The Iraqi's have been asking/demanding the US leave Iraq. They have been declaring themselves a sovereign nation with full authority & rights to ask whomever they wish to leave, and form alliances with whomever they please. They are acting as a free people.

Here's another link that supports this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4082632

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Radicals within Iraq's Shiite majority community launched a petition for the withdrawal of US-led troops, which they said was drawing support from across the sectarian divide.

~snip~

"We started this morning and so far we have had a good response, not only from Shiites -- Sunnis and Christians have also been coming to our office to show their support," said Ibrahim al-Jaberi, an official in Sadr's movement.

"We have also received more than 100 calls from Iraqis living abroad in support of our initiative," he said, adding that more than 400,000 people had signed the petition by midday (0800 GMT).


***********************************************


What I take from all of this is that the US remains in Iraq not only against the will of a large number of it's citizens, but also against the will of the Government of Iraq (with the exception of a handful of the US placed puppets).

This shipment may have been a legal shipment of arms between two sovereign nations. Iraq, as a sovereign nation, has the right itself and defend itself from whomever they deem an enemy.


Meanwhile, US citizens, on whole, have no idea that the Iraqis are demanding the US to leave. This may be a different way to catapult the propaganda.

[proud patriot]

73. They really are ramping up

:-(