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November 28, 2004
Iran war generation at vanguard of "new Iraq"
Topics: Middle East News and PerspectivesSun 28 November, 2004 04:15
Reuters, UK, by Khaled Yacoub Oweis, comes this report the role of the Iran war generation of Iraqi officers in the new Iraq:
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Former guerrilla leader Ahmad al-Khafaji watches from his sixth floor office at the Interior Ministry in Baghdad as young U.S. soldiers patrol the compound under a scorching sun.
"Where do you think these American kids would rather be? In the United States or on the filthy streets of Iraq? They are here to help us until we recover, regardless what you hear on the Arab media. And the majority of Iraqis realise we need them," said the 55-year old major general.
Khafaji belonged to the Iraqi officer corps who fought in the 1980-1988 war with Iran. He defected and then returned to Iraq after last year's invasion to lead counter-insurgency efforts.
The former exiles, shaped by a war with Iran that killed up to a million people, are respected and will be influential in shaping the country as Iraqis seek leadership. They are at the vanguard of advocating human rights and the rule of law, and have a surprisingly consistent view about the "new Iraq".
Most are opposed to a Saddam Hussein-style centralised state dominated by intelligence operatives, and believe that a continued U.S. presence could help Iraq's recovery, as it did Germany and Japan after World War Two.
Khafaji says the war with Iran made him increasingly disgusted with Saddam's leadership. He cannot forget the horror of the fighting, including mowing down Iranian boy soldiers. Read More...
Posted by Hyscience at November 28, 2004 1:35 AM
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