IRAQ: Iraqis skeptical over US President George W Bush's speech while families in Samarra are given aid

Record ID: 858633

  • Title: IRAQ: Iraqis skeptical over US President George W Bush's speech while families in Samarra are given aid
  • Date: 21st March 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT FROM SAMARRA SAYING: "We can not go for work, we can not go to the market for shopping. They (US forces) damaged some of the houses."
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • City:
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADLYRTPIZ5121HQ047VJO9NROT
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Iraqi people on Tuesday (March 21) expressed their frustration at the deterioration of the security situation and humanitarian services as the country marked the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion on March 20, 2006.
    On the day of the anniversary, President George W. Bush vowed not to abandon Iraq and tried to counter fears among Americans and Iraqis that the communal violence was spiralling into civil war.
    The U.S. military said it was investigating Iraqi police reports that its soldiers killed a family of 11 in their home north of Baghdad last week.
    This week Time magazine published allegations that rampaging U.S. Marines killed 15 civilians in western Iraq in November after a roadside bomb killed one of their own. The military launched a criminal inquiry on that case last week.
    Bush insisted progress was being made but said it remained an uphill battle but many Iraqis hold the U.S. responsible for the spread of terrorism.
    "Bush (and his administration) are the terrorists. They brought terrorism to Iraq. They totally damaged us. They entered Iraq as liberators but in fact they are occupiers. They damaged the electricity, they are those who are planting bombs, they are hurting Iraqis and arresting them," said 25-year-old Ali.
    Another Iraqi citizen Ahmed Ibrhaim said he believed many Iraqis did not see any concrete changes in the country.
    "I do not think that there is something new in Bush's speech, We did not see any change, the situation is much worse. Tens of thousands of people killed for the sake of nothing. Until now, there is no change in the security, no humane services and even no stability. Sacrifices have been made for something unworthy. The same mistakes and even more and services is turning to be much worse," he said.
    Members of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society arrived in Samarra on Monday (March 20) to give aid to families affected by the military offensive aimed at rooting out insurgents.
    "We can not go for work, we can not go to the market for shopping. They (US forces) damaged some of the houses," said one Samarra resident.
    The U.S. military forces were continuing 'Operation Swarmer', a heavily publicised offensive launched in a rural area, about 15 km (10 miles) square, north of Samarra.
    There have been neither casualties nor any fighting in the assault, which involved troop-carrying helicopters rather than bombing raids. In a statement, the military says the attack is designed to clear a suspected insurgent operating area.
    The offensive is using 1,500 Iraqi and American troops, 200 assault vehicles, and 50 aircraft. The attack is expected to last for several days.
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