Myth of Allawi Showcases Iraq's Turmoil

[maddezmom]

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - He promises "annihilation" for his enemies and laughs off threats against his life. Capital punishment will be back, he says, and rumors racing through the streets have him personally shooting terrorists in cold blood.



To Iraqis hurting from months of violence and chaos, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has developed the aura of a tough, perhaps brutal, leader. Surprisingly, that image has endeared him to many Iraqis, accustomed to strongman rule.


"I heard that he goes to jails to kill criminals," said Salma Abbas, a 50-year-old government employee. "This is good. we want someone as strong as Saddam."


A secular Muslim Shiite with CIA (news - web sites) links and ties to Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s Baath Party in the 1970s, Allawi had been a member of the now-defunct Governing Council, but was not widely known here when he became interim leader of the country June 28.

~snip~
more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=5&u=/ap/20040720/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_allawi_the_strongman

Here is the meme....it's all a BIG LIE. :eyes:

[necso]

1. And besides if it is true,

a "strongman" is what Iraq needs --- and the Iraqis will love him for it.

These guys can be slick -- completely unscrupulous -- but slick.

[CharlesGroce]

2. Spin Spin Spin

"myth", "aura", and the allegations have yet to be investigated with the AP using such language.

Another mouthpiece of imperialism.

[Barrett808]

3. Unbelievable pro-Allawi spin from the Chicago Times

Combative leader wins Iraqi respect
By Evan Osnos Tribune foreign correspondent

Fifteen months after the fall of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein gave way to looting and rebel violence, being tough is back in style.

The man Iraqis most openly praise today is interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a stocky 59-year-old neurologist and former exile with a thin rasp of a voice, a fondness for black suits and a slight limp from the night in 1978 when a crew sent by Hussein tried to kill him with an ax in London.

In just three weeks as the head of government, Allawi has emerged as a singular reflection of Iraq's greatest hopes and hazards: a firm leader who vows to rid the nation of violence even if it means restricting freedoms and cracking down on enemies.

"What we need is strength and justice, someone who will bring security," said watch repairman Mohammed al-Obeidi, 39.

Allawi has drawn cautious praise from Iraqis, foreign officials and analysts for helping push homegrown police and security into a more visible role, maintaining support of crucial religious leaders and sparking a palpable sense that Iraq plods forward despite violence.

(much more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2027&e=1&u=/chitribts/20040720/ts_chicagotrib/combativeleaderwinsiraqirespect

[daleo]

4. Wow, it is just an urban legend

Maybe the whole invasion and war was all a dream too.