Iraq - anti-US Protest

It's interesting to note how different media report on the same event - especially if it involves the US.

Here's the BBCs report on this weekends anti-US protest in Iraq.

Iraqis stage huge anti-US protest

Tens of thousands of protesters have marched through Baghdad denouncing the US occupation of Iraq, two years after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Demonstrators loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied in the square where the ousted Iraqi leader's statue was toppled in 2003.

Now, here is CNN's report.

Iraqi protesters: 'No, no to America'

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Several thousand protesters gathered Saturday in Baghdad to urge the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as well as to call for national unity and denounce terrorism.

The BBC claim there were "tens of thousands" of protesters while CNN put the figure at "several thousand". Also note that the BBC left out the protesters denouncing terrorism.

The Washington Post reveals even more, although they left it to the 14th paragraph.

Sadr had stayed out of the limelight since leading failed uprisings last year in the southern city of Najaf and in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. But he has stepped up criticism of the United States in recent weeks, mainly by organizing Saturday's protest, which fell far short of the 1 million people he hoped would assemble.

So what really happened in Iraq this weekend? Sadr's thugs had a rally - big deal. Leave it the BBC to root for the terrorists once again.

Meanwhile the rabid anti-American and anti-war newspaper, The Guardian (UK) in a surprise move, reports on improvements in Baghdad.

City authorities and residents themselves are injecting colour and vitality through initiatives designed to beautify Baghdad.

Municipal workers have planted thousands of bushes and trees along thoroughfares and intersections. It is easy to miss them now but within six months some species will be waist-high foliage, said Mustafa al-Ubadi, 35, pointing to freshly planted rows of leafless saplings opposite his fish restaurant on Abu Nawas street.

Emboldened by better security and business, he plans to return paintings he stored at home for safety to the bare walls of his restaurant.

And

This weekend the city will regain a favourite playground: Jadriya lake, formerly known as Saddam lake.

Built on farmland a year before his fall, the 36-hectare (90-acre) expanse of water with kiosks along its banks was popular with families and couples. But American tanks smashed the paving and when looters stole electric cables and pumps the lake drained into the Tigris, leaving the site dry and desolate.

Six months ago the tourist board, part of the culture ministry, funded its restoration and the lake is back.

Kiosks with pictures of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck have been painted in vivid blue, red and yellow. Speedboats were tested on the lake yesterday and musicians practised for the opening ceremony.

"It's like a lung for the city," said Abdul Razaq Ali, a supervisor. He looked forward to the return of foreigners. "Give me security and I'll give you tourists," he said.

Hilal Shawkat, head of the Iraqi investment firm which restored the lake, said he would build restaurants and amusement parks around the shore.

More

Ordinary Baghdadis are puncturing the drab greyness with flowers and potted plants which have become more visible in homes and shops, cheering the likes of Talab Hadi, 38, a third-generation horticulturist.

"Business is 10 times better than six months ago," he beamed. "People want colour."

Now that the world can see Iraq for the success that it is, even rabid anti-American newspapers like the Guardian want to jump on the bandwagon. Here is another positive article on Iraq from the Guardian.

Mahdy Ali Lafta is an Iraqi teacher. But in 1979, 10 years into his career in Baghdad schools, Saddam Hussein came to power and Mr Lafta, because he wouldn't support the dictator, was forced out of his job. He spent the Saddam years teaching friends, family and neighbours, and doing a little private tuition. Mostly, he found other ways to make money, like driving a taxi in the city.

Tens of thousands of teachers were forced out of their jobs in Iraq in 1979. Thousands more followed during the 1990s as Saddam diverted the country's cash to fight his wars and build his palaces. Schools and universities, once the pride of the country, went into serious decline. Teachers' salaries went down to $3 a month, forcing many of them out of the profession in order to feed their families.

Mr Lafta, 57, is married, has a 15-year-old son, and lives in Baghdad, where, following the fall of Saddam, he now does something once unthinkable. He is head of the Iraqi Teachers' Union (ITC), set up for all of Baghdad's teachers east of the river Tigris. [...]

Which brings us to a difficult question. Is Iraq better now than under Saddam? "Certainly," replies Mr Lafta. "But the people of Iraq did not want the war. Which nation would want to see itself occupied with no sovereignty or freedom? But it was Saddam who brought this upon us.

So how do some Iraqis see things? After all, shouldn't we hear from some of them?

Baghdad, April 9 2033

Wow what an image, "Firdos" square in its utter beauty. Firdos meaning paradise and sure thing it looks like one. The sun is shining, the skies are clear. Its a public holiday, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the rebirth of Baghdad. Children playing in the fountains.Their jubilant screams fill the air. Their Families gather around watching them proudly. Lovers walking hand in hand. HUBBY and I choose an empty bench. We take a seat. We are tired, we are old. HUBBY places his walking stick aside, and takes my hand in his.

There are no protesters, there are no occupiers, and most importantly there are no CRIMINALS, no HEAD SLAYERS, no "JIHADISTS". The place is pure, its pure and shining....

We sit there smiling at the beautiful view. The water from the fountains look like crystal drops in the sunlight. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I begin to sniff. HUBBY tightens his grip, as to say "I know, I know its hard to believe". But we are here, we are alive, Alive In BAGHDAD........

Makes you wonder whose side the BBC is on?

UPDATE

Here are some more thoughts from another Iraqi blogger.

So today we're offering a last chance to choose between joining the real world and joining Muqtada and Harith Al-Dhari.

Go and chant with them, condemn democracy and march against freedom if you like but don't forget that those thugs represent no one but themselves. They rejected democracy from the beginning and missed the chance of joining the greatest election of our time.

And don't forget that millions of Iraqis had also rejected those fanatics when the people marched to the boxes ignoring the threats and "fatwas"

Those who really represent me and my people are the men and women we voted for and put our trust in; men like Ibrahim Al-Jafari and Jalal Talbani who are grateful for the nations that helped Iraq in the darkest times and freed its people when our "brothers" ignored us and silently watched the Ba'ath murder and torture our people and more worse, gave the Ba'ath a hand more than once.

These are the people who represent us now; they promise us freedom and prosperity and I intend to trust them and believe them as long as they prove to be honest to us but I will never listen to those who want to bring back the rule of the dark ages.

Finally, I would like to say it again and say it loud:
Thank you our liberators.

I would say 8 million Iraqis trumps Sadar's few thousand thugs.
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