The Iraq thread 3

[denoir 0]

What on earth are you talking about? He was/is a civilian truck driver, not a guard.

[theavonlady 2]

What on earth are you talking about? He was/is a civilian truck driver, not a guard.

Have you never seen a passionate truck driver?

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

What on earth are you talking about? He was/is a civilian truck driver, not a guard.

I am not refering to your heart-operations since I think A) it is irrelevant trying to or even to bother estimating the costs of an operation. B) Bals indicated that this is not his favourite topic to talk about.

I was refering the article in THE NEW YORKER. The "mama needs the money" comment was just a cross-reference to how silly some people justify certain things.

Or as Janis Karpinski would put it a few weeks ago:

“living conditions now are better in prison than at home. At one point we were concerned that they wouldn’t want to leave.â€

[denoir 0]

You really should provide a quote or a link to what you are talking about, otherwise it's very difficult to guess! What New Yorker article?

Quote[/b] ]Or as Janis Karpinski would put it a few weeks ago:

“living conditions now are better in prison than at home. At one point we were concerned that they wouldn’t want to leave.â€

That's beyond disgusting.

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

Well usually I am the last to post a new article here so I assumed someone posted it already 200 pages ago.

The New Yorker was the last newspaper to provide a deep look into the investigation. Many of todays news refered to this article. it is kind of long but worth reading

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040510fa_fact

[quicksand 0]

Quote[/b] ]then why are you blankly assume that it is CIA? You are leaping to conclusion that EVERYTHING is known to EVERYONE at all times, which is certainly not true.

Because it was their cell block?Noticed how I used the term "cia agents" btw but I guess you disregarded that completly.

Quote[/b] ]remember that private who was identifying himself on video that he did not goto war but was ordered to do so? i hope Red Cross is getting a visit to check his status. NOT!

Your point being?Oh I see,Resistance fighters should now trust a soldier that helped invade Iraq when it`s their feeling they are responsable for bringing all this misery in their country.

I am sure a supporter of Bush would have said to them "Bring it on,terrorists"

Smooth going on the Red Cross part.After succesfully managing to stay in the dark and managing to give US millitary no idea who they are fighting with they will risk it all letting Red Cross visit him.Even if they had the best of intentions it would have been impossible to do so,its not their fault whats so ever.

Quote[/b] ]read my post. pure lie? i'm sorry, but CPJ has statistics that clearely showed that Iraq war is NOT the deadliest war for journalists. and no, i'm not talking about Roman Empires killing journalists either

What am I to do with you.EARTH TO RALPH,THEY DIDN`T SAY IRAQ IS THE MOST DANGEROUS WAR THEY SAID IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE FOR CURRENT JOURNALISTS TO BE IN RIGHT NOW.

Quote[/b] ]you just said that since England is part of UK, so it is technically correct to call UK using the term 'Anglo' but then again, in the beginning of paragraph, you say that calling UK England is an 'annoying habit'. if it is annoying, then it means it's not ok. then why are you suffering from it? let it be corrected. same deal with term 'Anglo' here. the word is used to ethnically divide between Arabs and 'Anglos'.

It was not my post it was IsThatYouJohnWayne and he stated its one of the most common mistakes done.But you on the other hand stated they are racist and are intentionally using the expression.

Quote[/b] ]to me seems like you are suffering from anti-US problems

We know,we know we all hate US because we are gelous of your democracy.Are you even listening to yourself,I don`t have a problem distingushing TBA from the American population,do you?

Quote[/b] ]unfortunately they are the how world work in some cases. no denying that there are things like this going on in all sides

Sorry Ralph but your words mean little to me,must be because your inabillity to come up with any proof. I haven`t read the article where the US POW`s were urinat*d on, humilliated threatened to be electrocuted and forced to conduct one of the most biggest sin in the Bible,just the CNN one where they were in excelent health.

Quote[/b] ]not all. a prinsoner who performs hurtful activity on its guards is not covered by it. that's why last year when the major battles were going on, some of those who faked surrender was shot when they suddenly held their guns out.

Look we have 3 soldiers statements that say they were supervised and directed by CIA officers.Lets just wait and see whats coming out from it.But when the torturing happend in the CIA cell block I have no idea how couldn`t they have been aware of the sadistical treatment of the POWs.

From the same article you posted Ralph:

Quote[/b] ]

I told them I was Chinese, since my guide had advised me that it was the best way to avoid trouble.

"They told us they could show us around, so we drove behind them. But suddenly their car stopped and about five men came out with guns in their hands.

"They searched our bags and took our passports, and realised I was Japanese. We were then blindfolded and taken to another place.

"

"They told us they thought we were spies. This made me feel pretty sad, as I'd gone to Iraq to support the people there and had always been against the war.

Talk about asking for trouble.Lieing about your identity is not the wisest thing to do to a side always on the look out for spies,the fault not belonging to them as they were advised by their guide.But are the Resistance fighters to blame for suspecting them of being spies after they lied about their identity?

Quote[/b] ]"They were verbally trying to intimidate us, and they had an iron stick leaning against the wall, which they would rattle once in a while," he recalled.

Oh the humanity Ralph,an iron stick rattled against the wall and I thought the Abu Gharib guards were cruel  

[NavyEEL 0]

Quote[/b] ]I'm sure the BND keeps you updated you with health cost indexes in the US.

Whatever you say Avon. If you think you need to make fun of the death of my dad, go ahead. No surprise.

You mean in the same way that you belittle the deaths of coalition (particularly American) soldiers?

[MLF 0]

Smooth going on the Red Cross part.After succesfully managing to stay in the dark and managing to give US millitary no idea who they are fighting with they will risk it all letting Red Cross visit him.Even if they had the best of intentions it would have been impossible to do so,its not their fault whats so ever.

Actuall thats downright bullshit, the IRC managed to visit Mike Durant after hew was captured in somalia without even tipping of Delta and Task Force Ranger, that excuse is Bulshit Quicksand and tbh im getting tired of all BS that you spout.

[theavonlady 2]

Quote[/b] ]I'm sure the BND keeps you updated you with health cost indexes in the US.

Whatever you say Avon. If you think you need to make fun of the death of my dad, go ahead. No surprise.

So much self pity.

Sorry to surprise you but I wasn't making fun of your father's regrettable death. I was being cynical of your know-it-all attitude when it comes to health care costs outside of your little realm, which others pointed out to you as well.

How pathetic. You turned a simple human interest story of a down and out American into a hate fest. It says a lot.

[ralphwiggum 6]

Quote[/b] ]then why are you blankly assume that it is CIA? You are leaping to conclusion that EVERYTHING is known to EVERYONE at all times, which is certainly not true.

Because it was their cell block?Noticed how I used the term "cia agents" btw but I guess you disregarded that completly.

and this is definition of being a pedantic. CIA agents are those employeed by CIA, and has to follow guidelines. of course not all CIA agents are equal to CIA, and vice versa. you are basically trying to dilute the argument by answering something i didn't mention/

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]remember that private who was identifying himself on video that he did not goto war but was ordered to do so? i hope Red Cross is getting a visit to check his status. NOT!

Your point being?Oh I see,Resistance fighters should now trust a soldier that helped invade Iraq when it`s their feeling they are responsable for bringing all this misery in their country.

I am sure a supporter of Bush would have said to them "Bring it on,terrorists"

Smooth going on the Red Cross part.After succesfully managing to stay in the dark and managing to give US millitary no idea who they are fighting with they will risk it all letting Red Cross visit him.Even if they had the best of intentions it would have been impossible to do so,its not their fault whats so ever.

IRC's check on POWs is not about trust between a POW and its captors. remember how much people bitched about Iraqi POWs not getting access to IRC? Now the reciprocity is lost. The captured american soldier was wearing a uniform and was conducting activity that can be classified as NOT a spy activity. then it is only right that he gets treatment just like most of anti-US people bitched about. however I fail to see that happening. Treating POWs with respect and having third neutral party like IRC check is vital. however when US soldier is a POW, get it seems those things are not needed. then why should US follow Geneva convention?

just because they can't doesn't mean they are let go of the responsibility. if situation dictates compromise of mutual agreement, then it only justifies further mistreatment of POWs that US troops have in custody. it is wrong for US troops to mistreat POWs, but ok for Iraqi groups to mistreat US POWs. this is clear sign of anti-US idea, and a double standard.

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]read my post. pure lie? i'm sorry, but CPJ has statistics that clearely showed that Iraq war is NOT the deadliest war for journalists. and no, i'm not talking about Roman Empires killing journalists either

What am I to do with you.EARTH TO RALPH,THEY DIDN`T SAY IRAQ IS THE MOST DANGEROUS WAR THEY SAID IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE FOR CURRENT JOURNALISTS TO BE IN RIGHT NOW.

And how MANY MAJOR WAR involving major(100,000 or more troop movement)is going on right NOW? so if you look at only one war, it is true, but the WHOLE truth is that there were other wars where journalists were likely to get killed more often. but simply disregarding that, AJ's article gave off impression of Iraq being the most dangerous zone for journalists.

REASON TO QUICKSAND, WHOLE TRUTH IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS BEING TRUE!

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]you just said that since England is part of UK, so it is technically correct to call UK using the term 'Anglo' but then again, in the beginning of paragraph, you say that calling UK England is an 'annoying habit'. if it is annoying, then it means it's not ok. then why are you suffering from it? let it be corrected. same deal with term 'Anglo' here. the word is used to ethnically divide between Arabs and 'Anglos'.

It was not my post it was IsThatYouJohnWayne and he stated its one of the most common mistakes done.But you on the other hand stated they are racist and are intentionally using the expression.

then what was point of bringing IsThatYouJohnWayne's post to support your argument? it only solidified my argument that using a term that cannot give correct picture is wrong. I said by using '"anglo" when they could have skipped it shows the bias within AJ.

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]to me seems like you are suffering from anti-US problems

We know,we know we all hate US because we are gelous of your democracy.Are you even listening to yourself,I don`t have a problem distingushing TBA from the American population,do you?

you mean 2000 presidential election?

you say you don't have problem distinguishing TBA and americans, but you don't do that. instead of using word TBA, you use US, which includes people within.

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]unfortunately they are the how world work in some cases. no denying that there are things like this going on in all sides

Sorry Ralph but your words mean little to me,must be because your inabillity to come up with any proof. I haven`t read the article where the US POW`s were urinat*d on, humilliated threatened to be electrocuted and forced to conduct one of the most biggest sin in the Bible,just the CNN one where they were in excelent health.

do you ahve proof that "POWs picked up" is true? if not, then i failed to see why I cannot use that argument either. read back how Iraq treated some prisoners, not just US mil, but UK mil personels during first gulf war. all sides do it.

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]not all. a prinsoner who performs hurtful activity on its guards is not covered by it. that's why last year when the major battles were going on, some of those who faked surrender was shot when they suddenly held their guns out.

Look we have 3 soldiers statements that say they were supervised and directed by CIA officers.Lets just wait and see whats coming out from it.But when the torturing happend in the CIA cell block I have no idea how couldn`t they have been aware of the sadistical treatment of the POWs.

CIA does not have full authority over US military, and US military has no control over CIA.

Quote[/b] ]From the same article you posted Ralph:

Quote[/b] ]

I told them I was Chinese, since my guide had advised me that it was the best way to avoid trouble.

"They told us they could show us around, so we drove behind them. But suddenly their car stopped and about five men came out with guns in their hands.

"They searched our bags and took our passports, and realised I was Japanese. We were then blindfolded and taken to another place.

"

"They told us they thought we were spies. This made me feel pretty sad, as I'd gone to Iraq to support the people there and had always been against the war.

Talk about asking for trouble.Lieing about your identity is not the wisest thing to do to a side always on the look out for spies,the fault not belonging to them as they were advised by their guide.But are the Resistance fighters to blame for suspecting them of being spies after they lied about their identity?

so do you give your identity to others who decide to search your car without good reason? the 3 japanese were merely trying to fend for their life, since Japan actually sent its military to Iraq for reconstruction purpose. If lying to preserve your safety is wrong, then i really have no idea what is right. i wonder why there is no uproar when one of those captors explicitly threated to kill those 3 japanese and showed a knife in front of their face, all of them recorded and distributed to see.

Quote[/b] ]

Quote[/b] ]"They were verbally trying to intimidate us, and they had an iron stick leaning against the wall, which they would rattle once in a while," he recalled.

Oh the humanity Ralph,an iron stick rattled against the wall and I thought the Abu Gharib guards were cruel

just because one person stole a car and the other a dollar bill, doesn't make the latter an innocent person.

[theavonlady 2]

I was looking at Newsweek and found the following.

Is Chalabi a spy or a patsy? Interesting either way.

Quote[/b] ]Intelligence: A Double Game

Has Chalabi given 'sensitive' information on U.S. interests to Iran? He denies it, but the White House is wary

By Mark Hosenball

NewsweekMay 10 issue -

Ahmad Chalabi, the longtime Pentagon favorite to become leader of a free Iraq, has never made a secret of his close ties to Iran. Before the U.S. invasion of Baghdad, Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress maintained a $36,000-a-month branch office in Tehran—funded by U.S. taxpayers. INC representatives, including Chalabi himself, paid regular visits to the Iranian capital. Since the war, Chalabi's contacts with Iran may have intensified: a Chalabi aide says that since December, he has met with most of Iran's top leaders, including supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his top national-security aide, Hassan Rowhani. "Iran is Iraq's neighbor, and it is in Iraq's interest to have a good relationship with Iran," Chalabi's aide says.

But U.S. intelligence agencies have recently raised concerns that Chalabi has become too close to Iran's theocratic rulers. NEWSWEEK has learned that top Bush administration officials have been briefed on intelligence indicating that Chalabi and some of his top aides have supplied Iran with "sensitive" information on the American occupation in Iraq. U.S. officials say that electronic intercepts of discussions between Iranian leaders indicate that Chalabi and his entourage told Iranian contacts about American political plans in Iraq. There are also indications that Chalabi has provided details of U.S. security operations. According to one U.S. government source, some of the information Chalabi turned over to Iran could "get people killed." (A Chalabi aide calls the allegations "absolutely false.")

Why would Chalabi risk his cozy ties to Washington by cuddling up to Iran's fundamentalist rulers? Administration officials say Chalabi may be working both sides in an effort to solidify his own power and block the advancement of rival Iraqis. A U.S. official familiar with information presented to policymakers said that White House advisers were concerned that Chalabi was "playing footsie" with the Iranians. Yet Chalabi still has loyal defenders among some neoconservatives in the Pentagon. They say Chalabi has provided information that saved American lives. "Rushing to judgment and cutting off this relationship could have unintended consequences," says one Pentagon official, who did not respond to questions about Chalabi's dealings with Tehran. Each month the Pentagon still pays his group a $340,000 stipend, drawn from secret intelligence funds, for "information collection."

Still, the State Department and the CIA are using the intelligence about his Iran ties to persuade the president to cut him loose once and for all. Officials say that even some of Chalabi's old allies in Washington now see him as a liability. If Chalabi's support in the administration was once an iceberg, says one Bush aide, "it's now an ice cube."

[Bernadotte 0]

Is Chalabi a spy or a patsy? Interesting either way.

Interesting neither way.  Chalabi is a non-issue.

[theavonlady 2]

Is Chalabi a spy or a patsy? Interesting either way.

Interesting neither way.  Chalabi is a non-issue.

You bore too easily.

[ralphwiggum 6]

ooohh...this is getting hectic....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3679177.stm

Quote[/b] ]British soldiers have swapped hundreds of photos showing brutality against Iraqi captives, it has been claimed.

The allegations are made by two soldiers who gave the Daily Mirror torturing an Iraqi prisoner.

Army sources have raised doubts about whether the images are genuine.

But the two serving members of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment have stood by their story and say: "The Army knows a lot more has happened."

One said: "Maybe the officers don't know what is going on - but everybody else does. I have seen literally hundreds of pictures."

'Baton attack'

Doubts were cast over the weekend about photos published in Saturday's Mirror appearing to show a hooded man being struck with a rifle butt, urinated on and having a gun held to his head.

But the two soldiers who gave these images to the paper say they represent only the tip of the iceberg.

In Monday's Mirror the soldiers, who wish to remain anonymous, claim many pictures were destroyed in September when the troops' luggage was searched as they left Iraq.

Quote[/b] ]An investigation has already begun into the claims, also carried in the Mirror, that British troops assaulted the prisoner pictured in the paper, before throwing him from a lorry.

BBC defence correspondent Paul Adams said sources close to The Queen's Lancashire Regiment were suspicious about the authenticity of the photographs questioning whether the rifle, hats and truck pictured matched those issued to men in Iraq.

And they asked why there appeared to be no sign of sweat, dirt or injuries on the body of the alleged victim.

Colonel Bob Stewart, who commanded British forces in the Balkans, told BBC News Online he could not say whether the photos were genuine.

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]You mean in the same way that you belittle the deaths of coalition (particularly American) soldiers?

WHAT ?

NavyEel, either you post proof or shut up. I´m fed up with this unfounded claims.

If you decide to start a war against me you can have it.

Quote[/b] ]How pathetic. You turned a simple human interest story of a down and out American into a hate fest. It says a lot.

I do ? If you check back the last pages smart Avon you will see that most of the pro war guys and so called ladies had nothing better to do than to bash me for any little reason they could find.

Quote[/b] ]So much self pity.

Self pity ? Are you still straight in your head ?

My father died last year April. If you think you need to make fun of it you are the most lousiest person on the net I have met so far. How low can you go ?

You are disgusting Avon.

Quote[/b] ]I was being cynical of your know-it-all attitude when it comes to health care costs outside of your little realm, which others pointed out to you as well.

I know what heart surgeries cost. That´s all I said. Now pls shut up your dirty mouith and never ever talk a single word about my father again. He was a person who directed and supported me for all of his life and I DON´T ALLOW you to speak in such manner about this issue as you do Avon.

Anyone who thinks that he / she has to make fun of my father´s death is an asshole. That´s all I can say.

[theavonlady 2]

Quote[/b] ]You mean in the same way that you belittle the deaths of coalition (particularly American) soldiers?

WHAT ?

NavyEel, either you post proof or shut up. I´m fed up with this unfounded claims.

If you decide to start a war against me you can have it.

Quote[/b] ]How pathetic. You turned a simple human interest story of a down and out American into a hate fest. It says a lot.

I do ? If you check back the last pages smart Avon you will see that most of the pro war guys and so called ladies had nothing better to do than to bash me for any little reason they could find.

Quote[/b] ]So much self pity.

Self pity ? Are you still straight in your head ?

My father died last year April. If you think you need to make fun of it you are the most lousiest person on the net I have met so far. How low can you go ?

You are disgusting Avon.

Quote[/b] ]I was being cynical of your know-it-all attitude when it comes to health care costs outside of your little realm, which others pointed out to you as well.

I know what heart surgeries cost. That´s all I said. Now pls shut up your dirty mouith and never ever talk a single word about my father again. He was a person who directed and supported me for all of his life and I DON´T ALLOW you to speak in such manner about this issue as you do Avon.

Anyone who thinks that he / she has to make fun of my father´s death is an asshole. That´s all I can say.

I didn't talk about your father, fool. You did.

You're talking to yourself. Read carefully.

[Major Fubar 0]

I think you two need to calm down...I think both of you may have misinterpeted things each other have said. Balschoiw, Avon, no need for namecalling, regardless of who started it.

Please don't make me have to PR anyone...

[Placebo 29]

Bals and Avon stop baiting each other right now. Back off and ignore each other or you will both have to be dealt with according to the forum rules for flaming/flame baiting.

You're both as bad as each other, you're both taking molehills and turning them into mountains.

Bals I'm sorry you lost your Dad, I know myself how hard that is but you instigated the discussions about your personal experience by bringing it up in the thread originally.

[theavonlady 2]

Please don't make me have to PR anyone...

This has nothing to do with addons!

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]but you instigated the discussions about your personal experience by bringing it up in the thread originally.

Yes but I had never thought that someone wouild use this for his personal smear-campaign against me. That´s just disgusting.

I´m sorry for the uprise but I stand by my words.

If someone decides to discuss on a mud level, using personal experiences against me, trying to make fun of my father´s death only to throw mud at me I will not accept such.

I will continue to post news in the thread. That´s what it´s meant for.

[Pathy 0]

Heh, anyone remember this guy:

Comical Ali.

Remember how we mocked him at the time for his ridiculous reports, "we are winning", "the situation is under control".....

Interesting to now think what the current situation is......"Mission acomplished", "The war is over"........

[theavonlady 2]

nm

[Pathy 0]

I thought TWO mods told you both to back off........

Cmon, you dont want to overtake my warning level.....

[denoir 0]

Is Chalabi a spy or a patsy? Interesting either way.

Interesting neither way.  Chalabi is a non-issue.

I tend to agree. It seems that Chalabi is quite irrelevant. According to the polls he is the guy that the Iraqis trust least. Not surprisingly as he has been in exile. He was convenient for the US in the beginning but since he has spoken against some of the coalition's actions, he has fallen from grace.

Unless he manages to pull off a spectacular power grab, I doubt that he will be involved in forming the future of Iraq.

[Balschoiw 0]

Militiamen Attack U.S. Troops in Najaf

Quote[/b] ]NAJAF, Iraq - Militiamen barraged U.S. forces with mortars in the holy city of Najaf on Monday in one of the more intense attacks on American troops, who have been holding back their full firepower to avoid inflaming the anger of Iraq (news - web sites)'s Shiite Muslim majority.

...

The shelling in Najaf began overnight, when some 20 mortars hit in and around the former Spanish base that U.S. troops moved into a week ago. There were no casualties. Heavy mortar fire resumed at midday Monday, and U.S. troops returned fire.

Troops sealed off the area around the base, and several tanks were seen moving their cannons, though not firing. Sniper fire could also be heard.

The U.S. military has deployed at the base and outside Najaf to crack down on radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. But they have been hampered in responding to frequent al-Sadr fire on their position because the military is being extremely cautious, fearing that stepped up fighting would anger Shiites, whose holiest shrine is at the center of the city, about three miles from the U.S. base.

Violence on Sunday killed nine U.S. soldiers across the country. In the heaviest attack, five Navy sailors and one Army soldier were killed in a mortar barrage against a base near Ramadi, west of Baghdad.

Also Monday, an official said the U.S. military will likely bring in a new commander for the new Iraqi brigade in Fallujah, amid apparent uncertainty over the identities of the Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)-era generals to whom the United States has handed over control of the guerrilla stronghold.

The Fallujah Brigade, made up of former soldiers from Saddam's army, took up further positions in the cordon around Fallujah, replacing Marines who were pulling back to form an outer cordon. The Iraqi brigade now controls a ring around the southern half of Fallujah and is due to begin patrols inside soon.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Latif, a former military intelligence officer, is likely to take command of the brigade, a senior U.S. military official said. He would replace Maj. Gen. Jassim Mohammed Saleh, who will likely take a subordinate command in the brigade, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Saleh, a former member of Saddam's Republican Guard, moved into Fallujah on Friday at the head of the new brigade.

U.S. officials have acknowledged they did not vet the leaders and members of the new brigade to see how close their ties were to Saddam's regime — a sign of the military's eagerness to find an "Iraqi solution" to a monthlong siege that had raised an international outcry and strained ties with U.S.-allied Iraqi leaders.

Latif participated in meetings with Marines last week on the creation of the Fallujah Brigade, the top Marine commander, Lt. Gen. James Conway, said over the weekend. Conway said he believed that Latif had been exiled by Saddam's regime for several years.

"He is very well thought of, very well respected by the Iraqi general officers. You can just see the body language between them. And if I had to guess at this point, when we have this brigade fully formed, he demonstrates a level of leadership that tells me that he could become that brigade commander," Conway said.

The U.S. official, speaking Monday, said the decision to make Latif in charge emerged as it became clearer that he was more influential. "Gen. Saleh as I understand it will be working at the battalion level, not the brigade level," he said.

U.S. officials have shown confusion over the identities of the generals in the Fallujah force. One U.S. officer said Saleh had been involved in an assassination plot against Saddam and that three of his children had been executed — apparently mistaking him for Mohammed al-Shehwani, a former Air Force officer who in April was named as head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and whose three sons were killed by Saddam.

U.S. officials say the Fallujah Brigade will crack down on hard-core guerrillas in the city — though the force itself will likely include some of the gunmen who last month were involved in fighting against the Marines. U.S. commanders say the insurgent movement in Fallujah has been led by foreign Arab militants and former figures from Saddam's regime.

Saleh on Sunday told the Arab television station Al-Arabiya that he did not believe there were any foreign fighters in the city.