Iraq - Protests in the Street over US Long Term Security

It is important to understand the connection between issues and events. Whether domestically or internationally. Here is one such example.

Iraqis
say Marines handed out Christian coins
(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi demonstrators shouts slogans in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City as they hold placards of radical anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al Sadr, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, May 30, 2008. Tens of thousands of Shiites took to the streets Friday in Baghdad and other cities to protest plans for a long-term security agreement with the United States.

A US Marine handed out coins promoting Christianity to Muslims in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, outraged Sunni officials said Friday. The US military responded quickly, removing a trooper from duty pending an investigation.

Tens of thousands of Shiites, meanwhile, took to the streets in Baghdad and other cities to protest plans for a long-term security agreement with the United States.

The rallies after Friday prayer services were the first to follow a call by anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for weekly protests against the deal, which could lead to a long-term American troop presence.

The outcry could sharply heighten tensions over the proposal. The deal is supposed to be finished by July and replace the current UN mandate overseeing U.S.-led troops in Iraq.

What we learn from the above is:
a) purportedly a US marine handed out Christian coins
b) it has upset Muslims
c) they are protesting US plans for a long term security policy with Iraq.
d) The US actions in Iraq are under UN mandate


Ok, So George Monibot - you cannot arrest John Bolton because the US actions in Iraq are under UN mandate. Consequently, nothing the UN does is a violation of international law as it defines what international law is. Silly idiots, leave grown-up matters to grown-ups.

The coin - incidental and not very important, but for the fourth point; they are protesting long term security arrangements.

Now - who is protesting these arrangements. The Obamessiah followers will not even try to read more deeply, but we will, and it is no coincidence that the following story appeared and the protests began.

Iran
slams US policy in Middle East
May 30, 2008 7:47 AM
By LOUISE NORDSTROM, AP

(AP
Photo/Claudio Bresciani, Scanpix)

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki meets the press at the first annual review of the International Compact with Iraq, at Upplands Vasby, Sweden, Thursday May 29, 2008. Mottaki said his country believes American voters want changes to U.S. President George W. Bush's foreign policy and that the campaign for November's election proves it. He told reporters that most Americans are looking for changes and that the three remaining candidates are trying to present new ideas to the public to win votes.

Iran's foreign minister said Friday that failed US policies in the Middle East were fueling hatred and resentment, and he called for a change in American foreign policy after the presidential election.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Manouchehr Mottaki accused the Bush administration of wasting American taxpayers' money on policies that he said only serve to weaken U.S. influence in the region.

What can we learn?

That the protests are sparked by Iran. That is clear from several points made in the articles, but also from the fact that it is the Shiites who are protesting, not the Sunni, although the Sunni sheihk was upset about the coin (that is true - he is not referenced in the clip above, but is in the story you may visit using the link), it is also more than likely true the AP stuck him in there to try to give a sense that everyone was upset - which is NOT true.






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