U-S spokesman says military not ready to describe Baghdad security as significantly improved

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq The coalition military isn't going as far as an Iraqi spokesman, who says there's been a "remarkable decrease" in Baghdad violence since the security push began.

The spokesman says the level of terror attacks has sharply dropped. But a coalition spokesman says the U-S is more cautious. Rear Admiral Mark Fox tells A-P Radio while there are encouraging early signs, the coalition isn't ready to describe the situation as "significantly improved."

more: http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=6156368&nav=190w

Time: Lowering Expectations in Iraq


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Rear Admiral Mark Fox, a U.S. military spokesman, said Wednesday that the level of violence was "unacceptable," and that violence would continue. Noting that four more Iraqi battalions were scheduled to arrive in Baghdad in the next two weeks, he reiterated the American mantra that the new security plan is "an operation that will take months to unfold."

There is good reason for caution in evaluating the drop in violence. In the wake of Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr's decision to rein in his Mehdi Army militia, the number of "extra-judicial killings" in Baghdad has declined dramatically. "Extra-judicial killing" is a clinical euphemism for death squad murders that often begin with the abduction and torture of the victim, and end with the mutilated body dumped in the street as a warning to others. It has been a popular tactic as Shi'ite militias clear Sunnis from contested neighborhoods.

But Iraqi civilians and American soldiers say that, while the militia has become more discreet, it is still slowly forcing Sunnis from their homes — a process that the Shi'ite-dominated security forces still seem unwilling or unable to stop. Sadr and his allies may be calculating that, by stopping the worst outrages, they can accomplish their larger goals without becoming targets of the American military.

Sunni insurgent violence, on the other hand, remains as public and vicious as ever. On Wednesday a car bomb killed 10 people in Baghdad. Hundreds have been killed in a wave of bombings targeting markets, universities, restaurants — anywhere Shi'ites gather and are vulnerable.

more:http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1594948,00.html

[EFerrari]

1. I sense the need for a choreographer here.

[ShortnFiery]

2. No worries our latest General Officer Hero Extra-Ordinaire --->

That one and only, recently promoted Spring Butt: General Peaches Betray-Us has been ordered by Dear Leader to give us the specifics of his success stories within Baghdad and "The Triangle of Death" any day now. :eyes:

[tanyev]

3. Coming right up.

[Thor_MN]

4. Yup things are much better, better than Saddam, he killed his own people...

oh, wait... he had Wm... Mobile Bioweap... uhhh... We found him in a hole in the ground with a pistol!!!!