* Iraq: On Ground Updates *
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
AFP.Google.com brings us this report early this morning and it begins like this... Iraq said Saturday militiamen have sown the streets of Baghdad's Sadr City with booby traps to impede the advance of the security forces, amid fierce battles in the sprawling Shiite enclave... The warning came soon after the partial lifting of a vehicle ban that has been in force during two weeks of bitter fighting between US and Iraqi forces and the Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr... "Groups of people have planted roadside bombs on the majority of the roads of Sadr City," Baghdad military command said in a statement... "For the protection of our citizens and media personnel, we are warning people to stay off the streets until they have been cleared by the security forces," it said...
Read the full report at link below...
Bomb-rigged Shiite stronghold awaits security forces
* The Los Angeles Times Blog website has this great read and it starts off like this... When you ride in a taxi in Baghdad these days, you might be surprised to see that the cabdriver is wearing his seat belt. He may even ask you to buckle up... For Iraqis, it's a positive sign that laws are being enforced in Baghdad, where violators of the seat belt rule -- in effect for years but rarely, if ever, enforced -- face fines of $25 for going beltless. Traffic rules also prohibit the use of cellular phones while driving, "to reduce accidents and preserve people's lives," as the website of the General Directorate of Traffic Police states. A violation of that rule also carries a $25 fine... In Baghdad, enforcement of such laws is seen as a means of bringing some calm to this chaotic city...
Read the rest at link below...
IRAQ: Buckle up, Baghdad!
(Not bad for the LA Times!)
* SwissInfo.ch reports... U.S.
and Iraqi forces killed 13 gunmen in clashes and air strikes overnight in the Baghdad stronghold of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who said the United States would remain his enemy until the "last drop of my blood." Authorities eased a blockade on Saturday in the Sadr City district of eastern Baghdad that had trapped residents in the battle zone slum for two weeks...Battles kill 13 in Sadr City
File Photo by Spc John Crosby_115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
...* Slate.com had this article by John Dickerson out Friday and it starts off like this... America's Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, is a decorated diplomat skilled in the gentle phrasing of statecraft. But even a veteran like Crocker will have trouble softening the message from members of Congress to Iraqi leaders. Politicians in both parties suggested this week that the Iraqi officials are lazy, greedy bums...
Read the rest at link below...
How They're Playing in Baghdad - How sensitive will Iraqis be to the presidential race?
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* President's Radio Address
In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian violence, civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements in security have helped clear the way for political and economic progress. The Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major "benchmark" laws. And many economic indicators are now pointed in the right direction."
In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian violence, civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements in security have helped clear the way for political and economic progress. The Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major "benchmark" laws. And many economic indicators are now pointed in the right direction."
White House file photo by Eric Draper
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