Sunday, February 06, 2005
Good news from Iraq
Apparently, the successful elections, not to mention the heroism of an Iraqi Policeman who pulled a suicide bomber away from a polling station at the cost of his own life, seems to have shifted public opinion against the insurgency
What's really interesting is the reaction of Iraqis whose relatives were recently arrested by Iraqi policemen. From the article:
"Even though he was taking my son away, he was so nice," an 80-year-old woman who identified herself as Um Younis said about a hooded Iraqi security officer.
"We were surprised because they had very good manners, so polite, and respected everybody," said Anwar Zuhair Khalaf, 38, whose 21-year-old brother was among those arrested. "They asked me, 'Where are the women's rooms?' and when we pointed at their rooms, they did not enter these rooms even though we have a AK-47 in one of these rooms."
That's unheard of, and speaks to an upwelling of civic pride, even to the point where they don't think bad things of people who are arresting members of their own family.
Another thing to note is that Iraqi policemen understand how to interact with other Iraqis. It would never occur to me not to go into rooms occupied by female members of the family, and probably doesn't to American soldiers. Obviously, training the Iraqi army and police force As Soon As Possible is the right tactic.
Should be interesting to see how things look in a year's time.
Apparently, the successful elections, not to mention the heroism of an Iraqi Policeman who pulled a suicide bomber away from a polling station at the cost of his own life, seems to have shifted public opinion against the insurgency
What's really interesting is the reaction of Iraqis whose relatives were recently arrested by Iraqi policemen. From the article:
"Even though he was taking my son away, he was so nice," an 80-year-old woman who identified herself as Um Younis said about a hooded Iraqi security officer.
"We were surprised because they had very good manners, so polite, and respected everybody," said Anwar Zuhair Khalaf, 38, whose 21-year-old brother was among those arrested. "They asked me, 'Where are the women's rooms?' and when we pointed at their rooms, they did not enter these rooms even though we have a AK-47 in one of these rooms."
That's unheard of, and speaks to an upwelling of civic pride, even to the point where they don't think bad things of people who are arresting members of their own family.
Another thing to note is that Iraqi policemen understand how to interact with other Iraqis. It would never occur to me not to go into rooms occupied by female members of the family, and probably doesn't to American soldiers. Obviously, training the Iraqi army and police force As Soon As Possible is the right tactic.
Should be interesting to see how things look in a year's time.
