Iraqis Rejoice on Talk Radio Airwaves

From AP

Here is a chance for the new BBC Arabic.com to report on some good news out of Iraq. Let's see what their intrepid reporter on the ground, Omar Razek has to say on this momentous occasion.

Iraqis are, as usual, preoccupied with thoughts of earning their daily living and dreams about security and peace on the day the handover of power was officially announced, two days ahead of the schedule.

There are no celebrations in the streets of Baghdad, no demonstrations and no banners or flags marking the occasion.[...]

Iraqis are not ignoring what is taking place, but they have learnt to be cautious before setting their hopes high.

But I thought it was all over Iraqi radio; Iraqis rejoycing?

Let's see what the Iraqis are saying then.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi voices filled the airwaves of the nation's first independent talk radio station Monday, applauding a surprise move by the U.S.-led coalition to return sovereignty to Iraq (news - web sites) two days early.

The callers clogged Radio Dijla's telephone lines to congratulate interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, urging him to be strong, while warning insurgents against continued violence. [...]

"People have been calling in all day, sending their greetings to the new government," said Ahmed al-Rikabi, who founded Radio Dijla about two months after working for years with broadcasters in Europe. "There is a feeling of joy among the listeners. But they are also expressing hope that the day will pass with no problems and no explosions."

So, what gives? Does Omar not have a radio? Does he not speak the language? Is he really in Iraq?

The answer is - he works for Al Jazeera, er, the BBC.
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