Cars to Be Restricted for Iraq Election

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050115/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_elections

BAGHDAD, Iraq - In an apparent bid to head off car bombings on election day, Iraqi authorities will restrict the use of automobiles throughout the country and will place security cordons around polling stations, a Cabinet minister said Saturday.



Provincial Affairs minister Waeil Abdel-Latif also pledged that the government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi would provide adequate security for voters on Jan. 30, but he acknowledged that the security situation in four of the country's 18 provinces was unstable.


Iraqi security forces, he said, will shoulder the prime responsibility for security on election day. But the U.S.-led multinational force will provide support if asked, Abdel-Latif said.


"The government is determined to make available facilities and security guarantees to ensure the success of the election," he said at a joint news conference with the head of Iraq (news - web sites)'s electoral commission, Abdul-Hussein Hendawi.


Abdel-Latif gave no details on how cars would be restricted, but security sources have said authorities are considering banning the use of private vehicles Jan. 29-31.


Vehicles used by security forces would carry special identity markings.

[UL_Approved]

1. Hmmm, does this sound familiar?

I have two words: Jim Crow.

Its interesting how the "insurgents" are getting much more effective at taking out key infrastructure, like gasoline production, very near the election.

I thought that earlier today, we were seeing planned resistance, as taken from this article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6828349

But after hearing this, I seriously have to wonder if U.S. soldiers aren't being dressed up in "terrorist" uniforms and sent out to disrupt infrastructure as a means of controlling elections. This sure is one fine mess we have ourselves in now...

[rodeodance]

2. bring on the camels;-)

[ausiedownunderground]

3. Camels can still be a WMD in the hands of a well educated Iraqi Guerrilla

I don't know whether you American's realize but Iraq had more Engineers than any other Middle Eastern country. Perfect for WMD development????? or maybe a simple IED would suffice!

[leftchick]

5. You know what ausiedownunderground?

We here at DU are the Good guys in America. Your posts this morning would be better aimed at those on freereublic.com. They are among the most clueless America has to offer! I totally understand your frustration at America but please remember that there are literally MILLIONS of Americans that are angered and frightened by what has happened to our goverment since the chimp* was installed. That grieve for all of the slaughtering being done in our name!

Very Glad to have you here at DU!

peace,
lc

[Monkie]

9. its hard for us that are not from the usa to stay calm even at "you"

its not personal (i hope)
but its REALLY difficult to stay calm.
it used to be that the USA abused the world in secret,
but now its open fascism for all to see (as alot of du-ers are starting to realise).
the WHOLE american system is rotten to the core and based on lies,in foreign policy the democrats AND republicans are two sides to one coin.
this has been the reality this planet has suffered under for decades.
but now its out in the open,where is the real outrage?
"we" know the _real_ enemies are those to the right in america, but they are a lost cause..
after 2 stolen elections,illegal wars paid for with your tax dollars where are the people on the streets??
the estimates are of over a 100,000 dead iraqi nationals?
imagine the outrage in the states if 10 americans were murdered by arabs?

to an outsider it hurts more that the liberals/democrats dont care.

again this isnt a personal attack on you but trying to explain foreign frustration at ALL americans

peace 2 U 2 :)

[leftchick]

10. it is the Democrats in office that don't care.

save a very few real liberals. I can't argue with what you have stated. It sucks to be a peace loving Lberal in America right now. Please know that there have been hundreds of thousands of anti-war American protesters fighting this regime from the start. Those are who I am sticking up for!

:)

peace

[leQ]

4. i'm really curious as to just how in hell are they going to pass ....

this election off as legitimate.

[Redstone]

6. What a great plan!

"Vehicles used by security forces would carry special identity markings."

So how long do you supposed it will take the "insurgents" (who are not stupid) to copy these "special markings" and put them onto the vehicles of their choice?


Redstone

[spinbaby]

7. Let's see now...

The candidates and polling places are being kept secret for security reasons, they're shutting down the phones, sealing the borders, deploying troops, and restricting vehicles. Yeah, things have really improved in Iraq :-(

[Cocoa]

8. how's Iraq's public transportation?

do their buses and trains run on time.

[NYC]

11. I wonder if they still have any.

I haven't heard about buses, other than the ones transporting prisoners. That's an interesting question.

Also, I wonder if this "auto restriction" will be repeated? If they do it successfully on Jan. 29th through Jan. 31st, will they just make it permanent as a way of preventing (attempting to prevent) car bombs?

[daleo]

12. Imagine if this would have happened in the Ukraine.

If people weren't allowed to travel by car to the polls. This would be considered a laughable intrusion on democracy anywhere in the world.