Iraq parliament in session of 'defiance'

[nodular]

I'm going to take a little credit here. I did mention yesterday in my diary on the this subject in Daily Kos (in the comments) that this might lead to a strong counter-reaction among the Iraqis. Admittedly, I said I thought it was unlikely, but the thought occurred to me.

However, the reaction is much stronger than I imagined it might be (a Friday session no less---go figure!). A quite surprising show of strength. The Iraqi government has, it seems, at least temporarily gained the ability to make strong gestures indicating a desire to survive politically. It would appear this is connected to the posssibly imminent withdrawal of US forces. However, they seem to be unable, so far, to take much effective action in the direction of national survivial.

Nonetheless, Friday is a "recovery day" for the troop surge strategy---after yesterday's debacle. "Conveniently" for the surge propaganda effort, I notice there is a report out today about a reduction of civilian casualties in Baghdad.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070413/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

BAGHDAD - about 6:15 PM EST, 4/13/07
Iraq's parliament met in an extraordinary session of "defiance" Friday, the Muslim day of prayer, and declared it would not bow to terrorism. A bouquet of red roses and a white lily sat in the place of Mohammed Awad, the lawmaker killed in the parliament dining hall suicide bombing claimed by al-Qaida.


Parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani opened the session and asked lawmakers to recite verses from the Quran in honor of Awad, whom he called a "hero."

The unprecedented Friday meeting was called to send "a clear message to all the terrorists and all those who dare try to stop this (political) process, that we will sacrifice in order for it to continue," said al-Mashhadani, a Sunni Muslim.

"We feel today that we are stronger than yesterday," he said. "The parliament, government and the people are all the same — they are all in the same ship which, if it sinks, will make everyone sink."

[nodular]

1. Though deaths in Baghdad are down, deaths outside baghdad are up