Saturday, May 02, 2009

May 1st 2009: 6th Happy?? "Mission Accomplished Day??"

I would be remiss in not pointing out that this is the sixth anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq.

Meanwhile, in the real world:..........



97 percent of U.S. deaths in Iraq have occurred after George W. Bush declared an end to "major combat."
”Mission Accomplished!”





A 6th Anniversary Look Back at Media Coverage of 'Mission Accomplished

On May 1, 2003, Richard Perle advised, in a USA Today Op-Ed, "Relax, Celebrate Victory." The same day, exactly six years ago, President Bush, dressed in a flight suit, landed on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and declared an end to major military operations in Iraq -- with the now-infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner arrayed behind him in the war's greatest photo op.


Britain ends Iraq mission

British combat operations in Iraq are officially over.

American forces took control of operations in southern Iraq at midday. The move came a month earlier than expected and represents a continued pattern by coalition forces to try to mislead potential insurgents who may have been plotting attacks.

Earlier a memorial service was held to remember the 179 British personnel and 55 foreign servicemen and women who died in combat operations in southern Iraq. Defence Secretary John Hutton was in attendance.


Three US soldiers killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD, May 1, (Agencies): Three US troops have been killed in fighting west of Baghdad, the military said Friday, making April the deadliest month for American forces in Iraq since September. At least 18 US soldiers died in April, a sharp increase from March’s total of nine — the lowest since the war began in March 2003.


In Baghdad, dread grows with death toll

A string of devastating attacks mostly targeting Shiites has residents fearing a return to the sectarian warfare seen in 2006-07. The planned U.S. military pullback is adding to concerns.

The crowds at the restaurants are thinning out. Parents have started to escort their children to school again. And cellphones are ringing more often than usual, with family members checking in just to ask, "Are you OK?" or "Is everyone safe?"


U.S. says troops may have to stay in Iraq's Mosul

U.S. troops may have to stay in Iraq's third largest city, Mosul, beyond a June 30 deadline, the spokesman for U.S. forces in Iraq said on Friday.

A bilateral deal reached last year calls for all U.S. combat troops to pull out of Iraq's towns and cities by June 30 and for all U.S. soldiers to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.


Iraqs Refugee's

Urge President Obama to Support Iraqi Refugees

Overview
Five years into the US military intervention in Iraq, the country is dealing with one of the largest humanitarian and displacement crises in the world. Millions of Iraqis have fled their homes – either for safer locations within Iraq, or to other countries in the region – and are living in increasingly desperate circumstances. Failure to address the needs of Iraqis will have dramatic impacts on security inside Iraq.>>>>More


Iraq: Preventing the Point of No Return

The number of displaced Iraqis remains high, both inside the country and in neighboring ones. They remain reluctant to go back due to lack of security, the creation of ethnically cleansed neighborhoods, and poor government services. However, since the only realistic solution for the majority of displaced Iraqis is to return, the Government of Iraq, the United States, and the United Nations need to work together to establish safe conditions. The government needs to increase the effectiveness of education, health care, and employment programs. The U.S. and the UN need to maintain funding for humanitarian programs, while the UN expands its presence in the country significantly.>>>>>More




MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

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