Iraq Gloats Over Wave of Peace Protests

Tampa Bay Online ^ | Feb 16, 2003 | Niko Price

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraq on Sunday gloated over the global outpouring of opposition to the U.S. threat of attack, saying anti-war demonstrations in dozens of countries signaled an Iraqi victory and "the defeat and isolation of America."

Iraq's tightly controlled news media gave prominent coverage to anti-war demonstrations staged around the world on Saturday. Iraqi television showed footage of millions marching in the world's cities - under the logo "International Day of Confronting the Aggression."

"The world said with one voice: 'No to aggression on Iraq,'" read a headline in the government daily Al-Jumhuriya. "The world rises against American aggression and the arrogance of naked force," read a front page headline in the army daily Al-Qadissiya.

"These demonstrations expressed in their spirit, meaning and slogans the decisive Iraqi victory and the defeat and isolation of America," Al-Jumhuriya said in a commentary.

Iraq staged its own demonstrations on Saturday, when tens of thousands of people, many carrying assault rifles and portraits of Saddam Hussein, took to the streets of several Iraqi cities to pledge their loyalty to the Iraqi leader in the face of U.S. threats to attack the Arab nation.

The United States and Britain accuse Iraq of concealing weapons of mass destruction prohibited under U.N. resolutions adopted at the end of the 1991 Gulf War. They say they will disarm Iraq by force if necessary.

Saddam on Saturday reiterated that Iraq was free of weapons of mass destruction and said talk of deposing him was "impertinent."

"They talk about changing the Iraqi regime at a time when they also speak about respecting the will of nations and falsely boast about their so-called democracy," he told papal peace envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray on Saturday, official news media said.

In contrast to the international peace protests on Saturday, the mood of Iraq's demonstrations was defiant, echoing the official Iraqi rhetoric of the past several months: Iraq wants peace but it is also ready for war, should one start.

"On our land, thank God, we have enough resolve, determination and faith, and enough men and supplies, to fight for 10 years," Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said in Cairo on Saturday.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I told most everyone yesterday that the peacenicks were throwing a going away party for Saddam. Looks like he appreciated their effort.

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

I always get depressed and a bit angry when the idiots take to the streets...still trying to learn after 35 years that one burden of being a veteran is coping with the ignorance and ingratitude of those who do not serve their country...oh, well, this war is going to turn out well, spectacularly quickly, and that's the best answer of all

[mattdono]

These morons are simply giving comfort and cover to the enemy. While they have a right to protest, I wish they realize that they are "standing up" for a ruthless, vile, murdering dictator.

[CruisinAround]

Every condemned deserves a final wish.

[anniegetyourgun]

Many more of us appreciate your sacrifices. Don't ever forget that.

[anniegetyourgun]

Funny how the world has so quickly forgotten the 'arrogance' of a murderous dictator who (with naked aggression) marched into Kuwait to take over.

[Movemout]

These pathetic excuses for human beings are a blight on us all. I still cannot conceive an arguement in favor of allowing Hussein to build an arsenal that he could use to cower his neighbors into submission. A world that recognises these protesters as a rational force is irrational.

[The Wizard]

bad move in a series of bad moves

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I also like how they put away their principles in regard to one of their main tenets, class warfare. They forget to mention that Saddam is a billionare. I guess that would only matter if he was an American or conservative.

[anniegetyourgun]

Worse yet...he's a smoker....

[leadpenny]

The Left is going to wake up very soon and find they have replaced Bill Clinton as their leader.

The Left's new exalted leader, Saddam Hussein.

[johnny7]

In the old days, when you captured an enemy leader, you paraded him through your capitol on a wheeled cage.

This way, he gets a free spit shower before his execution.

Saddam wouldn't care for this much.

[dawn53]

Anybody read the wonderful letter from an Iraqi doctor in one of the British paper's yesterday?

In essence it said to the peaceniks, "You're not marching for the Iraqi people, you're marching for Saddam."

And asked the question, "If you're so concerned for the Iraqi people and their loss of life, where have you been and why haven't you been demonstrating as Saddam has been killing thousands of his own people each year?"

[ancient_geezer]

"The world rises against American aggression and the arrogance of naked force,"

Imagine the shock when the bombs start dropping in on them.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Never would deny their right to protest either. But that doesn't mean they have a right to an audience or to shove their views in anyone elses face.

Just as aside, I wonder how much this whole thing must cost cities like New York. Overtime for all services must be very expensive.

[sd-joe]

This really proves the point that these demonstrations are making war MORE likely, not less likely.

Sadam seeing this, is encouraged and feels that the "world" will support him, thus he is more stubborn and less likely to give in to UN demands. This will certainly cause the US, and even probably the UN, to end up going to war.

So, not only are the peaceniks wrong in almost all their claims, but they will produce a result that is the direct opposite of their stated goal.

[Goodlife]

I was arguing with one of my wife's liberal friends via e-mail. Female liberals just confuse me.

U.S. Corporations that 'discriminate' against women by holding them to the same standards as men should be destroyed, bankrupted, burned to the ground, and the ground seeded with salt.

Saddam Hussein and other Arab regimes are just old softies who haven't met the right woman yet. :P

[chicagolady]

Hail to you and thank you for serving in the military. I know my freedom is not free. It is because of brave folks like yourself. God Bless you richly and thanks again!

[chicagolady]

I was at the Freep in Chicago and most of theses folks are ADMITTED Communists. They ARE NOT THE VOICE of the American People. Any media outlet that did ANY research on the organizers of the group knows this!!!!!! QUESTION!!! Do you think any of these MORONS DID THEIR RESEARCH???????????

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Saddam doesnt get it....these protestors arent going to fight to defend him. They cant beat back the US and Allied forces with plastic signs containing cheesy pro-commie slogans.

Soon, Mr Hussein will get a taste of "rockets red glare...bombs bursting in air.."