'What Did Falluja Do to Deserve This?'
Editorials
Many British people regard the battle beginning at Falluja and last week's casualties among the Black Watch with dismay, even revulsion. They perceive an ugly predicament in Iraq growing worse by the day, and Tony Blair allowing hapless British troops to be dragged ever deeper into it. Here, they say, are the first fruits of the re-election of George W. Bush, an ignorant and dangerous man. Heaven help those shackled to his chariot wheels.
—The Daily Telegraph, London
The U.S. forces are expected to increase their barbaric acts in the hope of finishing off once and for all the Iraqi resistance so that they can have peace and realize their aims, foremost of which is the rearrangement of the country in such a way that would enable their new allies to hide behind "a false legitimacy," which they will use to open a new phase in which the final word will be that of a ruling gang in Tel Aviv.
—Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia
The offensive in Falluja is filled with political and military symbolism, which is why America's future in Iraq could be decided in this city. The attack by U.S. troops and Iraqi National Guard members falls between two elections. In the United States, the commander in chief has just been freshly legitimized. ... In Iraq , elections are supposed to be held in January, by which time the offensive should long have been successfully concluded. Such a success would strengthen the incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister, (Ayad) Allawi. But Falluja is more than a town — it is now the symbol of resistance, it is the insurgents' recruitment office.
—Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Munich
What did the inhabitants of Falluja do to deserve this fierce attack? ... What makes our hearts bleed is the participation of the Iraqi government in committing such a massacre by backing the U.S. occupation forces and encouraging them to kill innocent Iraqis. Arab and Muslim countries [must] achieve unity in ... sending the message that terrorism can never be brought to an end by imposing ready-made recipes on Middle East countries.
—Samir Ragab, Al-Gomhuria, Egypt
(This battle) is a critical one for the future of Iraq, which has become a crucial test in the global war against militant Islamism ... Though the government is indeed backed by foreign coalition forces, the terrorists' war is, if anything, a more foreign attempt to hijack Iraq's future.
—The Jerusalem Post
The immediate military outcome of the offensive by U.S. soldiers and Marines against insurgents in control of Falluja is hardly in doubt. The Falluja offensive is supported by the interim Iraqi government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in the hope that pacifying Falluja will help the country to hold credible national elections in January. Yet, questions remain about the likely success of this strategy. Some in the minority Sunni community threaten to boycott the voting, while clerical leaders of the Shiite majority see it as their path to power.
—The San Francisco Chronicle
Perhaps the destruction of Falluja is meant to be a lesson to the Sunnis, just as the gassing of Halabja and the draining of the marshes were Saddam Hussein's lesson to the Kurds and Marsh Arabs, respectively. But tanks cannot win political battles. Washington's only hope was to conquer the insurgents through peaceful persuasion, all attempts at which seem now to have been abandoned.
—Gulf Times, Qatar
© 2004 Toronto Star
posted by R7 | 11/14/2004 02:22:00 PM
3 Comments:
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Instead of immediately forking over large amounts of money for over-the-counter drugs, go to the kitchen cupboard and see what you can find to relieve your symptoms including anxiety depression.
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A simple hot compress applied to the face is very soothing to those throbbing aches and pains of a blocked sinus, while a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief can provide welcome relief for similar conditions. While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. And be sure to cuddle-up in bed when you have a cold, as it will make the body sweat out the germs.
Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient. Melt the honey in a little hot water for ease of mixing.
A smear of Vaseline or petroleum jelly will do wonders for those sore lips and nose that often accompany a cold.
A 'streaming cold' where the nose and eyes water profusely, can respond to drinking onion water. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. Half an onion on the bedside table also alleviates cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.
People prone to catarrh may find that chewing the buds from a pine or larch throughout the day will clear up their condition in just a few days.
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Sleepless? Instead of reaching for sleeping pills, which can quickly become addictive, try this: Drink only caffeine free tea or coffee starting late in the afternoon.. Go to bed earlier rather than later, as being overtired tends to keep people awake. Make sure the bedroom is dark and quiet. Use only pure wool or cotton sheets and blankets. Polyester materials can cause sweat and make you thirsty (if your child constantly asks for water throughout the night, this could be the reason).
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