11.1.04
Where's Saddam? and comparisons of Iraq to Greece
Supposedly, the CIA are currently interogating Saddam Hussein in an undisclosed location. Iraqi officials say he is still being held around Bagdhad. It is interesting that it wasn't until 2 days ago that he was declared a prisoner of war. This status gives him the right, amoung others, to be treated humanely and give him access to the International Committee of the Red Cross. This right has yet to be granted.
There has been very little information on the situation in Iraq since the completion of the war - other than the incessant bombings by the anti-Americans. Not that this is surprising, with the media's incessant search for the perfect 30 second shocker. Electronic Iraq has posted stories about rapidly increasing inflation as well as the large homeless populations now trying to find shelter. Many say that the US occupation has certainly not helped matters - how much time will the world allow before the situation is out of control? Although, certainly the insurgents bombing of the UN, Redcross and local police stations thus limiting local law and relief agency work is not helping the situation. What would happen if the US pulled out now? Revolution? Civil war? or will this occur in a timely fashion anyway?
The US occupation of Iraq is very similar to another 20th century occupation - in 1944, Germany was forced to withdraw from Greece. After years of plundering by the Germans, economic embargoes by the British, and massive food shortages, and an attempt by the British to setup an interim government between the communist ELAS ("National Liberation Front-National Popular Liberation Army") and EDES ("Greek Democratic National Army"), the Greek Isles descended into civil war - leaving more than 50,000 dead and 500,000 displaced over the 5 years of conflict. The war was only ended when the US supplied the EDES army with provisions to help them wipe out the remaining rebel centres.
Need I mention plundering by Hussein's Ba'ath party, the embargoes by the US and other states, the food shortages in Iraq and the interim government to make the link obvious? Is human behaviour once again iterating itself in history?
Cartoonist: Chris Muir
Day by Day Cartoon
There has been very little information on the situation in Iraq since the completion of the war - other than the incessant bombings by the anti-Americans. Not that this is surprising, with the media's incessant search for the perfect 30 second shocker. Electronic Iraq has posted stories about rapidly increasing inflation as well as the large homeless populations now trying to find shelter. Many say that the US occupation has certainly not helped matters - how much time will the world allow before the situation is out of control? Although, certainly the insurgents bombing of the UN, Redcross and local police stations thus limiting local law and relief agency work is not helping the situation. What would happen if the US pulled out now? Revolution? Civil war? or will this occur in a timely fashion anyway?
The US occupation of Iraq is very similar to another 20th century occupation - in 1944, Germany was forced to withdraw from Greece. After years of plundering by the Germans, economic embargoes by the British, and massive food shortages, and an attempt by the British to setup an interim government between the communist ELAS ("National Liberation Front-National Popular Liberation Army") and EDES ("Greek Democratic National Army"), the Greek Isles descended into civil war - leaving more than 50,000 dead and 500,000 displaced over the 5 years of conflict. The war was only ended when the US supplied the EDES army with provisions to help them wipe out the remaining rebel centres.
Need I mention plundering by Hussein's Ba'ath party, the embargoes by the US and other states, the food shortages in Iraq and the interim government to make the link obvious? Is human behaviour once again iterating itself in history?
Cartoonist: Chris Muir
Day by Day Cartoon
