U.S. Embassy moving out of the Green Zone
Report: US Embassy moving elsewhere. Sunni group claims GreenZone attacks
The Qatari paper AlArab had this on its front page this morning:
A military source lifted the veil on information that the American ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker has decided to change the location of the American Embassy [which is now] in the Green Zone in Baghdad, because it has been suject to a series of rocket attacks in recent days, that have led to the killing and injuring of a number of American employees.
General Faisal AlAsafi, commander of a Green Zone entrance-protection unit, told AlArab that American Ambassador Ryan Crocker gave the order Saturday night to more the location of the Baghdad Embassy, temporarily, from the Green Zone to an alternate location, which he didn't specify. He said a crew composed of dozens of officials and diplomats moved the contents of the embassy to another location toward the west[ern part of] Baghdad, fearing additional rocket attacks on the Green Zone, insisting that the move is a temporary one, with the aim of the success of the joint forces in stopping the rocket attacks on the Green Zone, and pointing out that the British and Australian embassies might take the same decision in the coming hours.
And Asafi said many parliamentarians and ministers have emptied their premises in the Green Zone following a series of attacks that were accurate and precise in targeting the offices of foreign embassies and the government of Iraq, and the homes of many of ministers and parliamentarians.
The AlArab reporter notes that American officials have barred his paper and others from bringing any video equipment into the Green Zone since the attacks started, and have barred the taking of any pictures of the damage.
The AlArab reporter still assumes that all the attacks have been by the Mehdi Army. But Roads to Iraq points out that there has now been a published claim of responsibility by the Sunni resistance faction Jaish al-Muslimin, part of the Jihad and Change Front, for all of the attacks on the Green Zone since Saturday March 29 and including those of this morning (Monday March 31).
Source: Arab Links
Gettin' a little too hot for you boys? Maybe all those mortars dropping in on your sorry asses is the Iraqi people's way of telling you to GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.
Did you move to Anbar province? You know, that place where you have been giving money and weapons to Iraqi Freedom Fighters so they'll be your friends?
Like they say, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Wonder what "No Brain McCain" will have to say to this development?
Or will Joe boy Lieberman have to whisper in John boy's ear what he needs to say?
As for the "Commander in Thief?" Time to snort some more whiskey and drink some more cocaine George, and read another bedtime story about pet goats.
I might sound cruel… but I love this post!! As an Arab watching every day and every hour the details of Iraq and listening to the BS the Bush administration has been telling the American people, I can’t say that I’ve been unhappy watching the green zone smoking and on fire for the past 10 days. The green zone has not just been “subject to a series of rocket attacks”. It has been bombarded constantly by rockets for the past 10 days and despite the US media blockade, the Iraqi resistance did send out a few videos of the scene which has been more than interesting and quite funny especially when one hears the various statements coming out of Bush or the McCain/Liebermain duetto. I can’t wait to hear McCains explanation for the “escape from the green zone” which is the only place Americans in Iraq could appear in. LOL.
I can’t wait to see where the “alternate” location of the embassy will be. As you say, maybe it should move to Anbar where the US has made so many solid allies…LOL!!! Or for that matter anywhere else in Iraq where Americans are so welcome by all Iraqis… Sunna and Shia…
That's anti-americanism!! (i think the zooi gave up on that one)
This is what was admitted by mainstream...
Iraq: New Restrictions on US Embassy
3 days ago
BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. State Department on Saturday tightened restrictions on embassy staff in Baghdad, ordering all employees to sleep inside reinforced structures and to use only armored vehicles when traveling in the Green Zone due to incoming rocket fire.
Two American citizens have been killed and several wounded by rocket or mortar attacks this week as the heavily fortified area has come under steady fire by suspected Shiite extremists angry over a government crackdown in the southern oil port of Basra.
The announcement came two days after embassy personnel were advised to remain under "hard cover at all times" and required to wear helmets and other protective gear if they ventured outside.
In a memo sent to embassy personnel on Saturday, the State Department reiterated the previous requirements and added that all personnel must limit their time outside "hardened facilities" and travel in the Green Zone only in armored vehicles.
"No one is to sleep or spend long periods of time in their trailer," said the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
When traveling outside, "all personnel must wear (protective gear), have their radios and cell phones with them, and must travel in armored vehicles," it added.
The embassy has set up cots inside the Saddam Hussein-era palace in which it is headquartered in the sprawling area in central Baghdad.
The first wave of rockets struck a week ago Sunday, when a U.S. financial analyst was killed. Another U.S. government employee died Thursday.
At least one round was fired toward the Green Zone on Saturday, although no casualties were reported and the attacks were not as intense as they have been in recent days.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJwQrCF2v
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When it's ALL the people who haven't sold their souls.