Just a coincidence?

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

LA Times, September 19, 2004
THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ
Iraqis Want the U.S. to Leave -- but Not Just Yet
They say the Americans should first 'fix what they broke here' by restoring 
security.

By Patrick J. McDonnell, Times Staff Writer

BAGHDAD ? Retired police officer Abaas Ramah is scornful of the U.S. 
presence in Iraq.

"Where is the freedom they promised?" he asks. "All the bloodshed, the 
sabotage, the killings. Who is paying the price? We, the Iraqi civilians."

But asked whether U.S. forces should pull out immediately, he responds: 
Absolutely not.

"There will be genocide here if they leave right now," Ramah answers. "They 
destroyed this country, and it is their responsibility to make it stand 
again?. Iraq is like a sick old woman who needs America to treat her right 
now."

full: 
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-voices19sep19,1,4263642.story?coll=la-home-headlines>

===

NY Times, September 19, 2004
U.S. Plans Year-End Drive to Take Iraqi Rebel Areas
By DEXTER FILKINS

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 18 - Faced with a growing insurgency and a January 
deadline for national elections, American commanders in Iraq say they are 
preparing operations to open up rebel-held areas, especially Falluja, the 
restive city west of Baghdad now under control of insurgents and Islamist 
groups.

A senior American commander said the military intended to take back Falluja 
and other rebel areas by year's end. The commander did not set a date for 
an offensive but said that much would depend on the availability of Iraqi 
military and police units, which would be sent to occupy the city once the 
Americans took it.

The American commander suggested that operations in Falluja could begin as 
early as November or December, the deadline the Americans have given 
themselves for restoring Iraqi government control across the country.

"We need to make a decision on when the cancer of Falluja is going to be 
cut out," the American commander said. "We would like to end December at 
local control across the country."

full: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/19/international/middleeast/19strategy.html