Iraqis Want U.S. Out of Green Zone

[Roland99]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-me/2004/oct/07/100709609.html

"We want and demand that the Americans evacuate the Green Zone because it contains Iraqi state and private properties," Baghdad Gov. Ali al-Haidari told The Associated Press. "We believe that Iraqi authorities should regain control of this area."

While President Bush insists that sovereignty was returned to Iraq three months ago, 10-square-kilometers in the heart of the Iraqi capital along the banks of the Tigris river - the site of several Saddam Hussein-era palace complexes and some of the city's finest real estate - remains U.S. territory.

The American Embassy, military command centers, preferred embassies and U.S. contracting firms occupy some of the most prominent buildings, while dozens of trailer parks shielded by sandbags to guard against mortar shells and rockets are dotted around palace grounds.

"It's a world within a world," said a Western diplomat who has only left the Green Zone twice in three months. "I imagine there are some people here who never meet Iraqis."

[MidwestTransplant]

1. Fat chance

[Roland99]

3. If we did...would attacks decrease or increase?

[MidwestTransplant]

4. The Americans in Iraq would be sitting ducks (those in the Green Zone).

[theorist]

2. Sludge Headline: "But That's Where Our Base Is Going!"

In a strange response to criticisms from Iraqi leadership, Bush stated at a Rose Garden gathering, "Go f--- yourselves!", clearly taking a page from Vice President Dick Cheney's playbook. He added, "But that's where our base is going. How do expect us to keep the middle east safe from itself if we can't blow sh-- up?"

Developing...

[realFedUp]

5. Where else would Negroponte have his kingdom?

The YMCA ain't fine enuf for the man behind the curtain.

[LibDemAlways]

6. Iraqis want U.S.

out of Iraq.