Bush is such a liar. Such a shame Big Media let's always get away with it.
'There is no war on terror'
Al-Qaeda Run PR For Bush Before Union Speech
Bush Speech Terror Claim Debunked A Year Ago
---
Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:59 PM GMT
By Mussab Al-Khairalla
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite officials on Wednesday dismissed as "ridiculous" U.S. President George W. Bush's comment that Shi'ite militants were as big a danger to the United States as Sunni al Qaeda.
In his annual State of the Union address, Bush warned of Shi'ite militancy in Iraq and the Middle East and reiterated the need for more troops in Iraq as the "best chance of success".
An official from a top Shi'ite party in Iraq said Washington would lose focus in fighting terrorism if it decided to open up a new front against Shi'ite militias.
"Comparing Shi'ite militias to al Qaeda is ridiculous. They are protecting their own communities after a three-year onslaught by terrorists and only a few outlaws take revenge. How are the militias a threat to the United States?" he said.
"The only solution is to give the government control of its own forces," said the official, who declined to be identified.
Bush's comments risk alienating the Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad but his criticism will be welcomed by many Sunnis in the region who are increasingly alarmed at the emergence of Shi'ite power after decades of oppression.
Saleem al-Jibouri, spokesman of Iraq's biggest Sunni Arab bloc, welcomed the comments and even said his bloc supported an increase in U.S. troops to help battle insurgents and militias.
"The U.S. administration has realised that the solution to their problems is providing security in Iraq. It is trying to convince its people and international public opinion of the necessity of fighting extremists in Iraq from all sides," he said.
He said the Americans must leave as soon as Iraq is secure.
"The increase in troop levels is necessary for the short-term but they have to leave once Iraqi forces are capable of securing the country, otherwise it will be perceived as a re-occupation and they would risk facing even more hostility."
Another Shi'ite official, Falah Hasan Shanshal from radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's political movement, said the cause of Iraq's problems was the presence of foreign troops.
"They should just give us sovereignty and let us Iraqis deal with our own problems," said Shanshal.
"The ultimate solution must be political and achieved through dialogue, the military solution is no longer useful."
The Mehdi Army militia loyal to Sadr has been identified by Washington as the greatest threat to security in Iraq.
No comments:
Post a Comment