Iraqi police increasingly upset with US troops

[Barrett808]

FALLUJAH (Iraq), Oct 20: Controlled by the Americans and faced with an angry populace, the police officers of Fallujah are increasingly disgruntled with the US troops occupying Iraq.

"I was heading to work the other day when the Americans stopped me at a checkpoint. They thoroughly searched my vehicle, showing no respect whatsoever for my uniform," a police officer said.

Another was angry at being told to arrest journalists after an attack on a US convoy in Fallujah, 50 kilometres west of the capital Baghdad.

"They give us lessons in democracy and then they ask us to arrest journalists." After dark, Iraqi policemen driving to the local American military headquarters must set their weapons on the floor of their vehicle so coalition soldiers don't confuse them with antiUS forces.

Even if they go on a routine patrol, they need to inform the US-led troops, according to one officer. They are ill-equipped, their uniforms don't always fit and they often stick their pistols in their pants, for want of a belt or a holster.

The nearby US 82nd Airborne Division base, on the other hand, is located in a luxurious villa that used to belong to Uday Hussein, a son of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

(more)

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/World/20031021083233/Article/

[Vikingking66]

1. "They give us lessons in democracy and then they ask us to arrest journali

Now that's one perceptive Iraqi.

[0007]

2. That junior is one uniting son-of-a-bitch

The Iraqis police are pissed, our soldiers don't want to go back to Iraq, and junior sez things are going smoothly and better than expected in Iraq.

Is this a joke or what?

[leftchick]

3. See? It is called make believe democracy.

Like here in the USA!