BTL:Iraqis Fearful that U.S. Will Renege on Troop Withdrawal Deadline; Stage Angry Protest

Iraqis Fearful that U.S. Will Renege on Troop Withdrawal Deadline; Stage Angry Protests

Interview with Raed Jarrar, political analyst, conducted by Scott Harris



The uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa rage on as well as the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the debate on the U.S. debt and budget crisis at home. But America’s continued military occupation of Iraq has almost completely been absent from recent media coverage. Large protests have been occurring inside Iraq, where demonstrators have denounced government corruption and the lack of basic services, such as electricity and water. Sometimes violent protests demanded the resignations of local government officials over the issues of high unemployment, repair of the electrical power grid and a corrupt judicial system. In late February, an estimated 20 demonstrators were killed by Iraqi security forces during running street battles that also saw the burning of government offices.

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http://www.btlonline.org/2011/seg/110506af-btl-jarrar.html