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Iraqi press sceptical over US pullout Iraqi press sceptical over US pullout
(4 days later)
U.S. soldiers stand guard near the two sword monumentU.S. soldiers stand guard near the two sword monument
Six years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraqi troops are assuming control of security as US combat forces withdraw from urban centres across the country.Six years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraqi troops are assuming control of security as US combat forces withdraw from urban centres across the country.
In the Iraqi press, some commentators were optimistic that Iraqis would manage without a US presence but warned of other challenges to security, while some writers pointed out an apparent contradiction in Iraqi attitudes towards the withdrawal.In the Iraqi press, some commentators were optimistic that Iraqis would manage without a US presence but warned of other challenges to security, while some writers pointed out an apparent contradiction in Iraqi attitudes towards the withdrawal.
Other commentators believed that the security situation could deteriorate, with one writer accusing Washington of knowing full well that Iraq would descend into "hellfire" after withdrawal.Other commentators believed that the security situation could deteriorate, with one writer accusing Washington of knowing full well that Iraq would descend into "hellfire" after withdrawal.
WAFIQ AL-SAMARRA'I IN AL-SHARQ AL-AWSATWAFIQ AL-SAMARRA'I IN AL-SHARQ AL-AWSAT
It would be realistic to rule out the prospect of violence breaking out on a very large scale and the security situation getting out of control [after US withdrawal] unless the current course of events takes a drastically different turn… The biggest future challenges for Iraq lie in al-Qaeda attacks, Iranian intervention and internal political differences, all of which could seriously undermine security. It would be realistic to rule out the prospect of violence breaking out on a very large scale and the security situation getting out of control [after US withdrawal] unless the current course of events takes a drastically different turn¿ The biggest future challenges for Iraq lie in al-Qaeda attacks, Iranian intervention and internal political differences, all of which could seriously undermine security.
BASSEM AL-SHAYKH IN AL-DUSTURBASSEM AL-SHAYKH IN AL-DUSTUR
Tomorrow [the day of withdrawal] will be just another day. Iraqis already made their decision when they signed the agreement. They are still determined to gain independence, so they have no choice but to go forward.Tomorrow [the day of withdrawal] will be just another day. Iraqis already made their decision when they signed the agreement. They are still determined to gain independence, so they have no choice but to go forward.
MAZIN AL-YASSERI IN AL-MUTAMARMAZIN AL-YASSERI IN AL-MUTAMAR
The recent escalation in terrorist violence sends a regional message to the government... which says that Iraq's current strength depends on the US presence, otherwise it will be easy to overcome.The recent escalation in terrorist violence sends a regional message to the government... which says that Iraq's current strength depends on the US presence, otherwise it will be easy to overcome.
AL-SABAH COMMENTARYAL-SABAH COMMENTARY
US withdrawal is a public demand before being a political aim… The important question we face is whether this demand sprang from national motives or was it election propaganda?... A logical analysis reveals clear duplicity in the positions of the political blocs. US withdrawal is a public demand before being a political aim¿ The important question we face is whether this demand sprang from national motives or was it election propaganda?... A logical analysis reveals clear duplicity in the positions of the political blocs.
SAMI KETZ IN AL-SABAH AL-JADIDSAMI KETZ IN AL-SABAH AL-JADID
The viewpoints of the Iraqi people contradict the Americans, who are getting ready to withdraw from Iraqi cities… While they [Iraqis] express hatred, we find them wishing to immigrate to the US because of their fondness for the American way of life. The viewpoints of the Iraqi people contradict the Americans, who are getting ready to withdraw from Iraqi cities¿ While they [Iraqis] express hatred, we find them wishing to immigrate to the US because of their fondness for the American way of life.
MAHDI QASSIM IN SOT AL-IRAQMAHDI QASSIM IN SOT AL-IRAQ
The invisible scenes of this tragic-comic show of US military withdrawal involve lurking companies, regiments and corps of professional killers and hardened cutthroats of all denominations … all of whom are now busy awaiting the right moment to leap on their innocent Iraqi victims in yet another spree of death and devastation just to prove to the whole world that ours is a failed, impotent and immature society … and that, but for the iron-fisted American policeman, we would be tearing at one another like rabid wolves… Our Uncle Sam is all too well aware of this as he pulls his troops out of our cities, laughing to himself at all these clownish celebrations we are engaged in because he knows full well how likely we are to plunge headlong into hellfire after his departure. The invisible scenes of this tragic-comic show of US military withdrawal involve lurking companies, regiments and corps of professional killers and hardened cutthroats of all denominations ¿ all of whom are now busy awaiting the right moment to leap on their innocent Iraqi victims in yet another spree of death and devastation just to prove to the whole world that ours is a failed, impotent and immature society ¿ and that, but for the iron-fisted American policeman, we would be tearing at one another like rabid wolves¿ Our Uncle Sam is all too well aware of this as he pulls his troops out of our cities, laughing to himself at all these clownish celebrations we are engaged in because he knows full well how likely we are to plunge headlong into hellfire after his departure.
BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad. BBC Monitoringselects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.