From Iraq

Via email, from Haider Ajina:

Greetings,

The following is my translation of a headline and article in the September 12 edition of the Iraqi Arab newspaper ?bentalrafedain? (a newspaper targeting women in Iraq)

"Iraqi & U.S. Liberation of Telaafar increases confidence of Iraqi street in Government?

?In an interview with Iraqi national assembly member Abbas Albayati, regarding Telaafar?s latest developments, Albayati Said:

?Iraqi forces from the interior & defense ministries entered this city defeating the terrorists and criminals after killing them or arresting them. The city is mostly safe and under the full control of the Iraqi forces. Terrorist have been nesting in the city for 8 months and eventually controlled the city and life in it. This halted normal life and commerce in the city due to lack of security and government. We hope that gradually life in the city will return to normal, now that security and control have been restored, and locals will have the chance to elect suitable leaders.

?bentalrafedain? (the paper) asked if there was help from U.S. forces and what happened to those arrested?

?Albayati answered:

?There is no doubt that this operation would not have been possible with out the cooperation of the multi national forces and the Iraqi forces. Iraqi forces however were the ones who entered the town with logistical and air support from the multi national forces. The forces entering the city were 100% Iraqi, they killed and arrested terrorists and criminals. In the 24 hours after their arrest they will be questioned and if not charged they have to be released. We strongly adhere to the principles of protraction and safety of the innocent. The city will return to the bond and rapport between Sunni & Shiite, many tribes and families in the city have Shiite and Sunni members and relatives, and we hope that they will be able to lead the city together in a cooperative way, preventing the city from becoming an oasis for terror from outside of our borders. We call for protection from violence and hope for controlled operations against terror. These military operations must be quick, decisive and controlled and not allowed to linger on.

?The paper asked if the Iraqi government has responsibility in the delay in entering the city of Telaafar?

?Albayati answered:

The Iraqi government was giving room and time for peaceful operations. The government met with more than two envoys from the City. The fist was from Tribes of Shiite, Sunni & Turkmen, which met with Dr. Alchalabi (deputy prime minister), which reached an agreement but was later not implemented. Later the office of the prime minister met with a number brother from Telaafar with hope for a non military solution. But alas the military option was the bitter medicine we had to use.

?At first the government had hope in the prospect of a peaceful solution, through cooperation with tribal leader in the largest Sunni, Shiite tribes of Telaafar. The government hoped that these leaders would be able to stop the infiltration and illegal movement of terrorists in the city. When these leaders realized that they could not stop these terrorists they asked for government intervention. Some delay occurred because of tremendous internal & external pressure to avoid the military option. With out a doubt we regret the death of the innocent. Military operations cause collateral damage and because of that a number of residence of Telaafar left the city upon our request. We asked the citizens of Telaafar to leave the city that we may be able to comb and cleans it. These military operations were not implemented until all peaceful means where exhausted. Finally we had to liberate Telaafar and evict the terrorist and infiltrators who came from outside our boarders from this city. The liberation of Telaafar has increased the standing and confidence of the Iraqi street in their government.

?The paper asked if we will see the people Telaafar come forward to vote on the constitution?

?Albayati answered:

I believe when the people of Telaafar have a more secure environment to return to. We should make official voter registration station available to them that allow them to practice their democratic rights, just as other Iraqis. I believe they will not fall behind other Iraqi cities in exercising their right to vote for or against the constitutions.

Here we have an Iraqi politician and political leader show the Iraqi government?s concern in guarding its citizen?s rights and safety while being tough against its enemies. It is a tough balance for a democratic government and Iraq has to deal with it just as we do in the U.S.A. These are strong signs of a government answerable to its citizens instead of oppressing them. What a tremendous change in a little over 3 years.

Over the last two months, I have noticed a substantially more up beat mood in Iraqi newspaper, radio, TV news and commentary as well as from speaking to my family in Iraq. I sense an enthusiasm in their voices. An enthusiasm about the future, an enthusiasm you hear from people who have a stake in their future and feel that they have some control over how to shape it.

Sunni mosques & political leaders are calling on their followers to get out and register to vote. They tell their followers that it is their religious duty and their duty as loyal Iraqis to register and vote. This is a far cry from what these same mosques told Sunnis to do for the January election. Then they discouraged them from voting and called voting unislamic.

Shiite mosques and political leaders do not have to work as hard and they are reminding their followers to be sure to vote. Women specially have a lot at stake. Women?s organizations are working overtime, to educate Iraqi women about the proposed constitution and their rights.

It is very heartening and encouraging, especially when I remember that only 30 months ago my family could not speak freely for fear for their lives and had little hope in their voices.

Once again, a thank you to this great country of ours from the Ajinas in Iraq and us in Mckinleyville for bringing hope, freedom and optimism to Iraq, a land which desperately needed it.

Regards
Haider Ajina
Mckinleyville CA

Greyhawk here: This came to us just before news of the al Qaeda response - the brutal murder of over 150 citizens of Iraq:

Witnesses say a man, posing as a potential employer, pulled up in a car near a large group of poor day laborers, assembled in a large square, hoping to be hired.

Thirty year-old Jassim Khazal say he was walking toward the square when he says he heard the stranger shout that he had some jobs to offer the men.

Mr. Khazal says the prospect for work immediately caused a large crowd to form around the man's car. Mr. Khazal says the man got out of the vehicle and remotely detonated the explosives packed inside.

Meanwhile, according to the same story at least six suicide car bombers failed to kill anyone but themselves. And as coalition forces engage terrorists in other areas of western Iraq, this news:

A U.S. Army commander said militants battling for control of Tal Afar had committed atrocities against civilians, including beheadings, torture and the booby-trapping of a murdered child's body.