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Parade, Jubilation Follow US Pullout of Iraqi Cities

Maliki warns media not to question his forces' abilities

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 30, 2009 7:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Iraq held its first full military parade since the fall of Saddam today—now known as Sovereignty Day—to celebrate the official withdrawal of US troops from cities and towns. The proceedings took place inside the Green Zone and were screened on television, but several media outlets, including the New York Times, were barred from attending because they had the "wrong permit." PM Nouri al-Maliki praised Iraqi politicians for "putting down the sectarian war," but made no mention of the US effort over six years.

Maliki also cautioned the media not to question his forces' abilities, suggesting that any doubts would encourage insurgents. Parks were packed last night for concerts and celebrations, and police cars and blast walls were decorated with flowers, flags, and posters, though the Times detected the hand of the authorities in the decorating and dancing—many of the revelers were off-duty cops, the paper reports—and said ordinary Iraqis are considerably less confident that their new sovereignty would come with adequate security.

Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 70 miles west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.
Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 70 miles west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, June 29, 2009.
Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, June 29, 2009.
Iraqi security forces celebrate in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
Iraqi security forces march in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Monday, June 29, 2009.
Iraqi security forces march in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Karim Kadim)
People watch fireworks light up the night sky above Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. US troops left Iraqi cities today.
People watch fireworks light up the night sky above Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. US troops left Iraqi cities today.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. Fireworks colored Baghdad's skyline and thousands attended a party in a city park late Monday where singers performed patriotic songs.
Iraqis celebrate in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. Fireworks colored Baghdad's skyline and thousands attended a party in a city park late Monday where singers performed patriotic songs.   (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
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The government wants to convince the citizens that there is a withdrawal of foreign troops, although the government could not protect citizens in some cities in Iraq even with the presence of US forces. - Najim Salim, a teacher in Basra

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Jun 30, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
And when they go right back to the same state as pre war. I hope we stay the hell out and let them fail or flourish on their own merit. See ya don't want to be ya
Mad
Jun 30, 2009 9:36 AM CDT
Most Americans felt that way in 2002; you know, back when republicans kept insisting we needed to bankrupt America and send her best and brightest to die for the WMD lie

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