Iraq Report, Apr 25/05

Welcome and a pleasant ANZAC Day to you! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from Iraq that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. This briefing is brought to you by Joel Gaines of No Pundit Intended and Andrew Olmsted of Andrew Olmsted dot com.

TOP TOPICS

• The terrorists launched a series of coordinated bombings in Baghdad and Tikrit Sunday, detonating two bombs near a Shiite mosque killing 15 and wounding almost 60. This attack followed a dual bombing at a police academy in Tikrit killing at least seven and wounding dozens.

• U.S. forces rounded up four more suspects in the Thursday downing of a civilian helicopter, bringing the total number of suspects to ten. And don't miss Flit's analysis of the attack itself, and what the Mi-8 helicopter was probably doing there.

• Arthur Chrenkoff's Good News from Iraq is up... and even the BBC is now having to acknowledge some of it.

Other Topics Today Include: Patrol Day; coverage of Madain; the terrorists change strategy; reconstruction highlights; will Hussein face the death penalty; Sunnis moving to democracy; Carnival of the Liberated; the Iraq War takes on the British elections; Hasan Akbar convicted.... as his mom pleads his case on Winds.

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• RED2ALPHA talks about Patrol Day and as a Gulf War vet, I can see what he is describing. "Here I was trying to do something nice and Agie was ready to waste him, thinking he was a danger." This is a great read, when you have more than a couple of minutes on your hands.

• Murdoc's coverage of the hostage crisis in Madain is quite good. He also covers the MSM "Presto Change-o" routine.

• Strategy Page examines changes in the terrorist strategy as security around many government and military targets in Iraq improves. (Hat tip: Instapundit.)

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• Here are a few of this past week's Iraq reconstruction highlights: Work moves forward on the refurbishment of a water treatment plant located in the city’s center, near one of Shia Islam’s holiest shrines in Karbala - project will be completed in September 2005. USAID and the US Army have completed work to rehabilitate Mosul’s water treatment and sewer systems. USAID also provided welding training to water treatment plant operations and maintenance staff. An Iraqi women’s NGO delivered a basic business skills training seminar for Iraqi businesses in As Sulaymaniyah. Topics included developing and writing business plans, managing finances, marketing, and business management. Twenty-eight business representatives attended the training session; 25 of whom were women. Preparation has begun on 24 farms in Dahuk governorate participating in an olive orchard improvement project aimed at enhancing olive production and improving the skills and income of beneficiary farmers. More than 50 Iraqi farmers, researchers, and government officials took part in a recent workshop at the MOA in As Sulaymaniyah to plan this year’s hybrid corn trials. Total USAID Assistance to Iraq 2003 - Present: $4,832,185,069.00.

• The Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has criticized Aegis Defence Services Ltd. for not complying in several areas of its $293 million contract. Aegis' main shareholder is former British army officer Tim Spicer, and has been a source of controversy regarding illegal arms deals to Sierra Leone.

IRAQI POLITICS

• There was some talk about Saddam not facing the death penalty. Talibani is against it - but maybe the other two Presidents will sign the death warrant "while I am on holiday". But Ali al-Dabagh of the United Iraqi Alliance, which holds 140 seats in Iraq's 275 member National Assembly, thinks the death penalty is what is called for.

• Arthur Chrenkoff notes the conversion of several Sunni factions to using democracy to reach power rather than violence. While there obviously remain many in Iraq for whom violence is the route of choice, the shift in attitudes by several Sunni factions is an important change.

• The latest Carnival of the Liberated is up at Dean's World.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• The Iraq war has become a major issue in the looming British election. Tory leader Michael Howard accused British Prime Minister Tony Blair of being a liar, while the Liberal Democrats are releasing a new ad blitz linking Blair to President Bush while demanding an inquiry into the war.

• Despite three kidnapped Romanian journalists and a majority of the population favoring withdrawal, Romanian Prime Minister Tariceanu says Romania should stand tough against terrorist threats.

ETCETERA

• Army Sergeant Hasan Akbar has been convicted of murder by a court martial for his actions on March 22, 2003. While in a cantonement area in Kuwait awaiting deployment into Iraq, Sergeant Akbar tossed grenades into the tents of his comrades and fired on others with his rifle. He killed two of his fellow 101st AB comrades and wounded 14 others.

• Meanwhile, his mom (or someone claiming to be her) is arguing on his behalf in the Winds' comments section. Other commenters are unimpressed - which is fine, as we remind our readers to be civil if they do reply.

• Do you have your GI Bracelet? Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire $5 purchase price of the GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families! Please join us to give back to these brave people in their time of need.

• The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!

• Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!

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