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Smoking Gun: Iraq Ambassador’s Cable

by Paul on June 19th, 2006

Much as we prefer to focus on Bay Area atrocities, weekend developments in Washington and Baghdad merit a brief mention, if only because of deficient coverage here.

The papers have been abuzz about beltway controversy and related legislation on continuing the war, but over the weekend an interesting original source of information became available, namely a cable from Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador. 

At a time when we’re playing political football with Iraq, the cable describes a worsening social environment where the quality of life belies the “democratic” nature of the U.S. imposed government and involves further degrading steps backward for women in particular–pressure to don the veil, censure for wearing shorts and using cell phones.  A source in the cable also claims “ethnic cleansing” is widespread.

It’s ugly, but take a look at the cable.  Although the Washington Post broke it, the memo got more press elsewhere as the Post put much greater time and space into airing its pro-Bush position.  Not a peep in the Chron.

For further happy thoughts, don’t miss out on the earlier AP blog, Stint in Iraq Similar to Russia.  Or click on the picture on this page for a series of 45 images you won’t see in the papers around here either. 

And by the way, good morning!

 

 

POSTED IN: Iraq, News

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