10 Tribal Sheiks Kidnapped in Baghdad

[Ghost in the Machine]

10 Tribal Sheiks Kidnapped in Baghdad
Published: 10/28/07, 5:06 PM EDT
By KIM GAMEL

BAGHDAD (AP) - Gunmen in Baghdad snatched 10 Sunni and Shiite tribal sheiks from their cars Sunday as they were heading home to Diyala province after talks with the government on fighting al-Qaida, and at least one was later found shot to death.

The bold daylight kidnapping came as the top U.S. commander in Iraq said the threat from the terror network has been "significantly reduced" in the capital.

A suicide car bomber, meanwhile, struck a busy commercial area in the oil-rich, northern city of Kirkuk, killing at least eight people and wounding 26, police said.

A new general assumed control of the region north of Baghdad, acknowledging that violence remains high but expressing confidence that the military has al-Qaida on the run there as well.

The two cars carrying the sheiks - seven Sunnis and three Shiites - were ambushed in Baghdad's predominantly Shiite neighborhood of Shaab at about 3:30 p.m., police officials said.

http://www.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=7812&eeid=5372008&_sitecat=1505&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=0&ck=&ch=ne

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. the threat from the terror network has been "significantly reduced"?

really. Just think what would happen if the insurgency was active and growing!

[tekisui]

2. Good thing its significantly reduced from its last throes as we turned

the corner and made progress and in the battle for Baghdad we were victorious.

Ever accelerating downward spiral. Iraq cannot be brought back, now.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. so glad we've turned the corner, too!

Last thows, and all, (shyte. Too much futbol)

[Disturbed]

4. This wouldn't have happened if Black Water Security was

escorting them. Will we be told that?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. very, very soon.

because they may lose the State gig.

[EVDebs]

6. Al Qaida is dumber than we think.. eom

[Disturbed]

7. If this action was al Q why was it dumb?

Hmmmmm?

[EVDebs]

8. Those tribes will not shelter AQ and given the region's penchant to hold 1300 yr old grudges

the foreign presence of Al Quaida's personnel will diminish. Why else would you hear of personal appeals for unity by OBL lately ?

[Disturbed]

9. Al Quaida & their rigid Fundie views are not welcome in Iraq,

with the exception of very few Iraqis. They will be driven out by the Iraqis themselves. The BS from Busholini about al Q in Iraq is merely a smokescreen to garner the Oil deals.

[EVDebs]

10. The permanent base issue is enough for most Iraqis

If the U.S. is ultimately leaving Iraq, why is the military building 'permanent' bases?
http://www.fcnl.org/iraq/bases.htm

'As Iraqis Stand Up, We Will Stand Down,' Bush Tells Nation
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=16277

Iraqis are polled on this mentioned at Iraqi public opinion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_insurgency#Iraq_public_opinion

"Polls conducted in June 2005 suggest continued anti-occupation sentiment. According to the Boston Globe (10 June 2005): "a recent internal poll conducted for the U.S.-led Coalition found that nearly 85 percent of the population supported the terrorist attacks, making accurate intelligence difficult to obtain. Only 15 percent of those polled said they strongly supported the U.S.-led coalition."<41> A later 2005 poll by British intelligence said that 45% of Iraqis support attacks against Coalition forces, rising to 65% in some areas, and that 82% are "strongly opposed" to the presence of foreign troops.<42> Demands for U.S. withdrawal have also been signed on by one third of Iraq's Parliament.<43> These results are consistent with a January 2006 poll that found an overall 47% approval for attacks on US-led forces. That figure climbed to 88% among Sunnis. Attacks on Iraqi security forces and civilians, however, were approved of by only 7% and 12% of respondents respectively. 87% favored a U.S. withdrawal, but only 23% believe the U.S. would actually withdraw if asked. 80% believed the U.S. plans permanent bases in Iraq.<23>"