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Wolf Blitzer talks to Michael Ware about the increase in violence as the deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq's major cities nears. As Michael points out, it's not that people have not been dying there all year.

Our press in the United States just hasn't been covering it. Maybe John McCain and Lindsey Graham can go over and visit the markets in Baghdad for another rug shopping excursion and tell all of us how wonderful everything is there right now.

I'm sure they'll do their best to blame what's happening now on the Obama administration, rather than the fact the people such as themselves thought it was such a great idea to go in there in the first place and blow up and occupy a country that wasn't a threat to us, despite Dick Cheney and his daughter's best attempts to convince the public otherwise. I'm also sure our American media will give both of them ample time on the air to make those criticisms.

When we quit building and occupying Vatican City sized embassies in Iraq and Afghanistan we can do more than pretend we really have any intention of getting our military out of either country.

BLITZER: A bloody wave of violence is washing over Iraq with scores of people across the country killed in a series of gruesome bombings this past week. And it all comes only days before U.S. forces are scheduled to withdraw from all major Iraqi cities.

Let's go to Baghdad, CNN's Michael Ware, who's standing by. The deadline is Tuesday for U.S. combat forces to leave the cities. Michael, what's likely to happen?

WARE: Well, on the morning of July 1st, not a great deal to be honest, Wolf. This withdrawal has been going on since January. Now you're still going to see some odd Americans out on the streets. You're going to have U.S. advisers embedded with Iraqi units. You'll still see them occasionally. There's going to be some partnered operations. There's some partner patrols, some joint events. But by and large, you're not going to see the presence of U.S. forces that we've become so accustomed to.

Because as you point out, as of Tuesday, all U.S. forces by then have to have had retreated to predesignated bases. They're allowed to operate in the green belt around Baghdad. They're allowed to around in the desert, but they're not allowed in the cities or the townships without the true commanders of the Iraq War as of Tuesday, the Iraqis.

BLITZER: Why has there been, at least it seems like there's been an upsurge in violence, deadly violence over the past week or two?

WARE: Well, it all comes within, you know, the breadth of a longer running campaign. I mean, let's not think that just because a rocket slipped off the public radar, that people weren't dying here all this year. There were.

There's a broader bombing campaign trying to reignite the bloodbath of the sectarian civil war. But in the past week from bombings, mortar attacks, shootings, roadside explosions, at least 210 Iraqi civilians have been slaughtered. And many of them, I regret to report, are women and children because a lot of these blasts, a lot of these attacks are in market places.

This is ratcheting up the pressure. Not so much on the Americans. There's no questions about the Americans coming back in the streets, not unless the Iraqi government, which has been hardlined as a 180 and invites them. America is out of the decision-making process. The American-led war will be over as of Tuesday.

The real point I think here is to put pressure on the Iraqi government. The prime minister here staked his claim. He has said that I will stop the violence. He had success in Basra, some limited success in Sadr City last year. However, if this continues, it's he who will suffer at the ballot box next January, according to most diplomats and analysts here on the ground. Wolf?

BLITZER: Michael Ware, be careful over in Baghdad. We'll check in with you throughout the week. Michael Ware is reporting for us.

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55 Comments
ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

Don't the terrorists want us to leave?

This makes one article I've read about two years ago that Iraq is providing wet-fire training for terrorist recruits.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

mudshark's picture

The new civil war in Iraq.
Makes ya miss old Saddam doesn't it?
All this for nothing.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

It allowed the US oligarchy to consolidate power into one branch of the government while taking C4 to your civil protections and rights (some of which like Habeus Corpus date back over 500 years, even before the founding of your nation).

They were quite successful in this, when Shrub said he thought his administration was a successful one he wasn't joking, it just wasn't successful in the way you were defining success.

The devastated countries of Iraq, Afghanistan and now increasingly Pakistan are mere distractions to the ultimate goal: A United States that is of the top 1%, by the top 1%, for the top 1% with you the people shutting up and doing what they tell you like good little employees.

correctly. Iraq was a part and parcel of a much larger strategy.

mudshark's picture

He did accomplish almost everything he set out to do.
And Blair was right there with him. The whole time.
The Brits withdrew some time ago. But they're still in Iraq, aren't they?


What is your conceptual, continuity?

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

Much to the chagrin of English women

Englishmen withdraw early.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Symes's picture

Typical of a Yank to be crude and condescending at the same time. I would have expected better of you though, goes to show you can't judge a poster on his past posts.

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Symes's picture

About 4500 left and they are out of there at the end of July.

mudshark's picture

Who's going to protect BP while they get all of that oil out of the ground?


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

I don't think BP will be operating there for much longer.

And yes, I do believe that.
They have been sticking to the timetables and the troop number draw downs they have announced.

On the other hand I don't expect the US to ever leave.
Until the US is completely bankrupt and unable to maintain foreign occupations any more that is.

mudshark's picture

BP was awarded a contract less than a month ago along with Shell and a few others.
No my friend, your troops will be in Iraq for quite awhile yet. I hope your right. I really do.
But when it comes to oil, the North Sea doesn't fullfil all of Great Britain's needs.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

But as I said, the timetables are set and they have been adhering to them so far unlike the US.

As for BP, who cares what deals they ink.
If they can't keep the wells pumping or the pipes in one piece they'll drop that losing proposition within the year.

mudshark's picture

Timetables for US withdrawal have been set as well. By the Iraqi govt'. And the US has been adhering to those timetables .
Hence the topic of this thread.
The site is moving slowwwwww.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

The timetable the US set is to withdraw from the cities and not the country.

That is as good as not leaving at all.

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

According to Yahoo news, the Iranian government has arrested the entire staff of the British embassy for supposedly fomenting the demonstrations.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

mudshark's picture

said that Iran had arrested a few of the Embassy staff. And they were Iranians. Either way, this spells trouble.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

We'll see how that plays out.
Hopefully the US keeps it's mouth shut and does nothing to aggravate the situation.

mudshark's picture

Will do.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

These were indigenous employees, Downing Street and the EU will make a lot of noise but in the end little will come of it.

The circumstances of the arrests are still not public knowledge so it really is unknown yet if these people were arrested while protesting or if they really were part of a protest organization outside of the embassy.

If that were the case I'd expect this to just fade away off the screens over the next day or so.

But I do expect the British gov't to do something. Or at least say something.
As for BP. Do you really think the BP will just up and leave over a few inconveniences?
With all that money at stake? When all industrialized nations use oil for their life's blood?
Not likely. And this puts the British troops in a position where they have to stay to protect all of that oil.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

I'm on my dial-up which means I can't turn on to many sites at the same time.

But this almost seems like President Obama's doing the right thing. By not being too very supportive of the protestors, other than denouncing the violence against them, he's confusing Iranian attempts to paint the protesters as American lackeys.

They would love to accuse us of interferring in the area, since we so frequently accuse them (under boosh) of interfering in Iraq.

Now the government is flailing about trying to find any pretext to stomp out the protests. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but another thread in Video Cafe says that the military might be taking over Iran.

Since Ayatolloh Ali Khameni already has their support, and he in turn support Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, it sounds like the status-quo will be preserved, but with more repression.

I was kind of half-hoping Ahmadinejad and Moussavi would go for some power sharing like Robert Mugabe with Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Symes's picture

and they pump too little for the investment I do believe they will do a cost benefit analysis and roll on out.

As for the troops, they are as good as gone. The US is only leaving the cities, our boys are leaving the country.
That being the case your question is answered: The US will provide corporate security for BP and Shell.

With so much money at stake, BP will go out of their way to make this work.

As for the US protecting BP and other oil companies. With regards to BP, are you saying the US will be doing Britian a favor by staying in Iraq?
Besides, I'll believe it when I see it. When all of the British troops are out.
With this kerfuffle in Iran and the Embassy, it stands to reason that the British govt' would want to be close to Iran. Britain has never been a country reluctant too use force.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

There is a drive here in Parliament this time around to investigate and prosecute for these fiascos.

The UK is doing what the US refuses to do, call it a war crime and see who actually had a hand in bringing it about.

You should take some time to see what is happening over here, it's nothing like what's going on in the US (I know, I just moved home from there last year).

I'd hold my reservations as well, but as far as making comparisons to UK reactions based on US reactions I'd be wary of doing that. There is a drive here to get to the bottom of the situation and hold those responsible for it to account at hig levels of the government.
I never saw anything of the sort while in the US.

mudshark's picture

You're right about that.
It seems that no one really wants to get to the bottom of this(Iraq invasion). We all know that is was a fraud. A lie.
Yet no one is pushing for the truth to become public.
I wonder who/if any honest journalist will take this on?
The whole world knows it was all a lie.
But nothing becomes of it.Sad.
Depressing . Downright depressing.
Have a great day Symes. Go have a pint of lager for me.

Maybe we'll all get lucky and whatever happens in Britain will force the issue here in the US. Remember, The US gov't was found guilty of war crimes in the mid 80's under the Reagan admin regarding El Salvador and Nicaragua. And what happened? Nothing.
Anyway, thanks for the chat Symes.
Have a Harp for me.:)


What is your conceptual, continuity?

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

I heard that a lesser known party might be picking up a few more seats in Parliament, due to the financing scandal embroiling the Labor and the Conservatives. If I remember aright they're called the British National Party, and are anti-immigrant and anti-welfare.

That's the extent of my knowledge, but they sound somewhat like our Neo-Cons here, and may have more of a Nationalistic inclination.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

I just thunk a thunk.

Could the British government itself aggravate the situation with their embassy in Iran in an attempt to shift their media's attention from the ongoing spending scandal?


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

mudshark's picture

Yeah, it's definitely possible.
But it wouldn't last for very long.
What concerns me is,the response over the embassy incident.
I don't think Britain will take this sitting down..

They may not retaliate with force.....right away. But I wouldn't rule it out either.

The Brits never back away from a fight. Never have. Never will.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

Though they are more like a KKK version of your neocons.
There's another group as well called the British Independence Party that has been gaining ground as well, nearly as xenophobic as the BNP yet worse because of their veneer of respectability.

Hard times cause people to stop thinking clearly, that much is sure.

What concerns me more is the Tory alignment with ultra nationalist anti EU parties over in the EU Parliament. That has repercussions that are more immediate and dire than these miserable little fringe hate groups picking up a couple of seats in the less educated regions.

Symes's picture

Though since I am a ceoliac it'll have to be a couple drams of Laphroaig Quarter Cask I have in the cabinet. :)

Been nice conversing with you as well, I truly hope both governments finally get it together and start to make things right. I won't count on it but hope is cheap.

mudshark's picture

Over there? That guy is a madman.


What is your conceptual, continuity?

Symes's picture

But he's no longer with the DUP, he's now shilling for Israel in Ireland.

savannah43's picture

I refuse to call them by their alias.

savannah43's picture

Good thing we don't have an embassy there, huh?

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

I'm baaaacckk...

I had a light workout of 15 laps in the pool followed by a late tea.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

According to Yahoo news, the Iranian government has arrested the entire staff of the British embassy for supposedly fomenting the demonstrations.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Symes's picture

It was 8 employees of Iranian nationality.
Go look to BBC for more information.

ConcernedCanuck's picture

Iran continues to "interfere" in Iraq, including training insurgents and paying surrogates, the U.S. commander in Iraq told CNN on
Sunday.

But Army Gen. Ray Odierno said his mission is limited to providing security within Iraq, no matter the provocation from Iran or elsewhere.

"I'm not authorized to do anything outside the borders of Iraq," he said on the CNN program "State of the Union."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/...

The sheer hypocrisy seems to be lost on the good general. Iran meddling in Iraq? And just what, pray tell since it's Sunday, has the US been doing in Iraq since Bush the First was around and even earlier?

They've got us right where they want us. They know the Republicans will play right into their hands by using this an excuse to continue to drain our money, resources and military for this war.

Who needs ro worry about Al-Queda when we have the GOP destroying America? they're doing a much better job.

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

Is this wolf before his Fairy Godfather turned him into a real boy?

http://www.tvacres.com/images/doll_munster3.jpg


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Can't get a comparison, but 210 people dying sounds tragic, but in the world with 6+ Billion people, it's not really a big number. There are more children that die in Africa due to any myriad of diseases, famine or war.

If CNN or NBC reported that the death rate in America is approx 2,540,000 a year, making it about 6960 deaths a day, for which I ask the following:

Of those 6,960 deaths each day, how many were due to:
1) Homicide
2) Unavoidable accident
3) Old age
4) Cigarettes
5) Preventable exposure to carcinogens (i.e Melanoma)
6) Preventable work place injuries
7) Inattention to medical problems (i.e no health insurance)
8) Suicide
9) Obesity and Heart Disease (preventable)
10) Other and Unknown causes (?)

11) Americans dead due to a foreign power invading our country on false pretenses resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of American civilians to date.

....wait, that didn't happen in this country. So what's you point?

at least 210 Iraqi civilians have been slaughtered

Did you read it? How many Americans were slaughtered this weekend?

Are you Laura or Barbara Bush by any chance? Just wondering.


"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

Sounds like laura's behind the wheel again.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Edwin's picture

Using your numbers, I guess 9/11 was no big deal, only 3,000: get over it.


"If the US government enforced its banking laws like it did its park regulations, we wouldn't be
in this damn park in the first place." OCCUPY.!!

What's wrong with this site? It's taking a long time to load and is bumping me off the internet. Not having this problem with any other site???

"we can do more than pretend we really have any intention of getting our military out of either country."

Withdrawing was never part of the plan. the powers that be are banking on Americans having a short attention span and if history is any guide is a wager well placed.

"we can do more than pretend we really have any intention of getting our military out of either country."

Withdrawing was never part of the plan. the powers that be are banking on Americans having a short attention span and if history is any guide, is a wager well placed.

"we can do more than pretend we really have any intention of getting our military out of either country."

Withdrawing was never part of the plan. the powers that be are banking on Americans having a short attention span and if history is any guide is a wager well placed.

Truth_Critic's picture

and of course an individual(s) "Free will"!

The truth is in the fact(s)... theory is just assumption(s). No matter if you're correct or incorrect, one bomb can decimate humanity, just as much, as one lie. We'll get true liberty... once we truly believe in liberty for all. Best wishes ♥

Uncommon Knowledge: Christopher Hitchens
The Hoover Institution

→ → →[ http://fora.tv/2007/08/23/Uncommon_Knowledge_... ]

Amended: "Fundamentalist Fervour - World"
►[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBxahdFmFbg ](27:18)


Study the symptoms not the virus...

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

I was in London in early May for a fortnight

But there were too many foreigners.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Truth_Critic's picture

...pack(s) of Gauloises? Not to mention the cost of isolation ;)


Study the symptoms not the virus...

ysbaddaden's picture
)O(

I have breath that Godzilla even finds offensive.


Diabolus est Deus Inversus

Truth_Critic's picture

Ginseng?


Study the symptoms not the virus...

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