Iraqi march against occupation; US reject French proposal to end sanctions
Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/23/2003

The Iraqi city of Kerbala is witnessing today a large religious and political demonstration on the occasion of the death anniversary of Imam al-Hussein, son of al-Imam Ali. This demonstration will pave the way for a crystallized stand of the Shiite of Iraq in opposing the American occupation and furnish for rebuilding a strong Iraqi state, apart from the American plans aiming at installing an Iraqi representative to cover the occupation and run Iraq.

These American plans will be resumed on Friday in Baghdad in a meeting to complete Ore meeting of al-Nasiriyah held 10 days ago by Iraqi figures.

However, the atmospheres in Kerbala were in contradiction with the great people's celebrations for the chairman of the provisional American administration Gen. jay Garner in northern Iraq, where he confirmed to the Kurds that "what you have done during the 12 past years is an excellent beginning for a self- rule.. What you have done is an example to be followed in the rest of Iraq." But Garner, who seeks to acquire Iraqi people's legitimacy, stressed simultaneously that an Iraqi (mosaic) government will be formed with one president representing all the Iraqis.

In a surprising move, France has proposed to the UN Security Council yesterday to suspend the UN sanctions imposed on Iraq since more than one decade, in an important step which serves the American attempts aiming at ending the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. However, Washington immediately announced its rejection of the French proposal, stressing it will not accept less than complete lifting of these sanctions.

Meantime, hundreds of thousands of Shiites yesterday arrived in Kerbala to celebrate the death (by killing) anniversary of Imam al-Hussein. It was an occasion which was converted into a demonstration against the American occupation of Iraq. Several participants raised banners saying "Bush- Saddam," " Down the USA," while others chanted "yes, yes for Islam, no for America, No for Israel, no for colonialism, and no for occupation."

US Army Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, CENTCOM deputy director of operations, estimated the number of arrivals in Kerbala yesterday to more than one million believers. He indicated that what is taking place in Kerbala is an expression of freedom and that the Americans do not oppose these marches, unless damages are inflicted on the security level in Iraq.

Moreover, in a clear attempt to avoid any friction with the participants in Kerbala demonstration, no occupation solider appeared in the city. Members of the "Iraq's Liberals" ( Ahrar al-Iraq ) of the Iraqi National Congress were seen inspecting cars at one of the city's entrances.

The American presence concentrated at 50 Km to the southern east of Kerbala. An American officer said "our intention at the meantime is to keep away from the road." Sheikh Raed al-Haidari, one of the officials responsible for organizing the celebrations in Kerbala said that the "new" Iraqi police arrested persons on charge of seeking to violate the atmospheres of these religious celebrations. He said "several persons, at least 10, were arrested over having relations with the Baath Party and wanted to violate the atmosphere."

Contrary to what was expected, the chairman of the "higher council of the Islamic revolution in Iraq" Muhammad Baqer al-Hakim did not come to Karbela from his exile in Iran. In a statement issued by his office in Tehran yesterday, al-Hakim apologized for not coming to Kerbala. He explained "I was determined to attend and take part with you in this spiritual, moral and political meeting, but the current situations and the complications prevented us from taking part in this meeting."

On the other hand, the British- American forces yesterday arrested Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi al-Mudarrisi with scores of religious men accompanying him while he was on his way from Iran to his birthplace in Kerbala to attended the celebrations of Imam al-Hussein.

A statement issued by al-Mudarrisi office in Damascus said that the detention operation was carried out at an inspection center that is under the control of the American and British forces.

Other sources said that al-Mudarrisi and his companions ( 60 members) were arrested on Monday. The spokesman for the "higher council of the Islamic revolution in Iraq" Rida Taqi said that al-Mudarrisi and 40 of his companions were arrested near Khanqin town at members of the Iranian opposition Mujahidee Khalq who handed them over to the Americans.

Taqi explained that among the detainees were Sheikh Ibrahim Shuber and Ibrahim al-Muteiri.

On Tuesday late night al-Mudarrisi office issued a statement saying that "pressures by scholars, UN organization and moves of the masses in the Islamic world yielded in releasing Ayatullah al-Ozma al-Mudarrisi and his companions who were detained by the coalition forces in Iraq." The statement expressed thanks for all who contributed to releasing him, giving no further details about the incidents.

Meanwhile, the French ambassador at the UN said that his country had proposed the suspension of sanctions imposed on Iraq since 13 years and to end working with the oil-for-food program gradually. This was during consultations at the UN Security Council held yesterday.

The French ambassador said in conclusion of a close door meeting for the UN Security Council "I propose that suspension of civil sanctions to be suspended immediately." He added "Lifting the sanctions is our objective. It is linked to confirming dismantling of Iraq's weapons.. awaiting for that we can suspend the sanctions and amend the oil-for-food program with the aim to end it gradually." He explained that the oil-for-food program should be amended to cope with reality.

However, the spokesman for the US Department Of State stressed in a later time that "it is time to lift the sanctions" from Iraq because the situation " has changed " in this country with the collapse of Saddam Hussein.

In remarks to the French proposal, the US said the French proposal does not address the current situation, adding there is no need for the sanctions, stressing if the sanctions are suspended they will not be eliminated.

In another step, the chairman of the budget department at the US said that the US administration is planning to call for an international conference for donors to raise funds in order to rebuild Iraq, but it does not have for the time being an estimation for the cost of this operation. He added that several countries vowed to provide support before declaring the end of the British - American war against Iraq. He added that the said conference will be held after a team from the World Bank will be sent to Iraq to evaluate its need in a step which he said might take six months.

Previous Stories:
  US about the hunt for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction   (4/22/2003)
  Rumsfeld says U.S. not seeking permanent military bases in Iraq   (4/22/2003)
  Shiite leaders stress peaceful resistance, Garner in Baghdad; preparation for a five- year rule   (4/22/2003)

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