Reply #5: Iraq Official Warns Against Demonstrations

[chlamor]

Iraq Official Warns People Not to Hold Protests, Says Gatherings Are Invitation for Terror Attack

By TRACI CARL Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq Mar 28, 2005 — Iraq's interior minister warned citizens Monday not to hold protests, saying the gatherings were an invitation for a large-scale terrorist attack. His comments came a day after government bodyguards opened fire on a group of employees demanding higher wages, killing one person.

Interim Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib, likely to be out of job once the new government takes over, said the protest was among "attempts to destabilize the situation" in Iraq. He accused the protesters of trying to enter the office of Science and Technology Minister Rashad Mandan Omar and said the bodyguards where just doing their job by protecting the official.

Iraqis elected a new parliament on Jan. 30 in the first free elections in 50 years, but progress in forming the new government has been slow. Officials have acknowledged that has caused a gap in some services, frustrating citizens.

"Iraq has witnessed more bloodshed than it should," he said. "We are witnessing a situation in which Iraqi blood is becoming very cheap."

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=619107