US Training of Death Squads in Iraq? - War Is A Crime .org

Naturally, the sleazy Laurence-emulating pair was carted off to the slammer--along with theireclectic arsenal of weaponry and communication devices--where a rioting crowd soon gathered,furious over the killing.The Basra police told the British army that the soldiers were due to appear before an Iraqi court,which sounds reasonable to me. Isn't this exactly what would happen in any so-called civilizedcountry where the rule of law applies?But this wasn't good enough for Iraq's Ramboesque British guests, ostensibly there to set this'sovereign' country on the road to security even when, after heavy diplomatic arm twisting, Iraq'sdefense minister ordered their guys' release."Last night, British forces used up to 10 tanks supported by helicopters to smash through thewalls of the jail and free the two British servicemen," reported the Independent, adding, "around150 prisoners were said to have escaped during the assault, which was condemned as 'barbaric,savage and irresponsible' by Mohammed Al-Waili, the provincial governor.Then after this Hollywood-style blockbuster--thought to have terminally eroded whatever trustthere was between the occupation forces in the south and the Iraqi police--the Brits discoveredtheir men had been moved to a private house; the home of a militia-man.Thank the Lord that the Brits are home and dry and even though a British tank was fired withpetrol bombs its occupants have got away with minor injuries. Never mind that three Iraqis losttheir lives during those incidents or that 15 were wounded in their own 'sovereign' democracyappears to be the attitude of most media outlets.The British army in Iraq should be ashamed of itself. Its members have behaved like a gang ofthugs who wouldn't look out of place rescuing banditos in a banana republic. But in a way, it'sdone us all a favor.We are surely forced to cast off our rose-colored specs mine are terminally grey and face reality.Iraq is still occupied. And its government is made up of employees of the Bush administration,its 'jump to it' allies, and its crony companies. Talabani and crew have clearly sold-out, else theywould order yes order--the occupier to sling its hook without delay.Instead, Talabani told the BBC that the allies are welcome to stay as long as they like. And theywill. Don't worry about that!After all, there are reconstruction contracts, still to be doled out. There is the privatization ofIraq's resources to complete. There are four permanent military bases to build and we mustn'tforget that foreign carpet baggers and mercenaries have starving babes of one kind or another tofeed back home in London and Los Angeles.When the Kurdish leader dared ask Mr. Bush how long that might be during his recent visit tothe White House he was apparently told "as long as it takes to do the job". Pity he didn't enquire215