Sorry. Duplicate post

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&ncid=716&e=18&u=/washpost/20040410/ts_washpost/a427_2004apr9

Seething City Filled With Dread

BAGHDAD, April 9 -- The family of Firas Ismail stood anxiously around the corner from Firdaus Square, a site made historic by the televised images of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s bronze statue crashing to the ground a year ago Friday. Almost in unison, family members flailed their arms as Firas approached. Then they shouted in desperation. "Get back!" they yelled. "Get back!"


Firas was trying to cross a street along the square to come home. But on this day, the anniversary of Hussein's fall, no one was allowed close. New rolls of razor-sharp wire, glinting in the sun, encircled the tattered park -- a precaution against attacks at nearby hotels or to prevent potentially embarrassing protests. Tanks stood vigilant with names like "Beastly Boy" and "Bloodlust" scrawled across their barrels. U.S. soldiers had orders to shoot anyone with a weapon, and they fired in the air to warn Firas.


"It's like we're in a military base," said his 62-year-old father. "Look here," the father grumbled, pointing down the street to towering concrete barriers. "Look there," he said, gesturing down another street where knots of edgy soldiers stood guard. A friend, Raad Fouad, looked on. "We live in a city of ghosts," he said. He paused, then repeated the phrase. "A city of ghosts."

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