We've been planning for weeks to secure the hospital as a prelude to a potential battle ... Col. John R. Ballard, Marine 4th Civil Affairs Group. Translation: The hospital was the source of some very embarassing information about civilian casualties during the April/May battle, so despite it being separated from the main battle area by the Ephrates river (west bank), and operationally irrelevant to the fight for the Jolon neighborhood (east bank), it is closed.
Bravo CBC (CANADA) for reporting this just like I wrote it 5 hours ago! Its just to shutdown the PR problem created by doctors.
We don't want bad guys using ambulances to attack our troops ..., Col. John R. Ballard, Marine 4th Civil Affairs Group. Translation: No civilian ambulance services for the duration either.
I am closing Baghdad international airport for 48 hours ..., Iyad Allawi. Translation: No new journalists. The "state of seige" applies to even the women and children who could be in Amman or London.
I am closing the boarders except for food and humanitarian supplies ..., Iyad Allawi. Translation: The sanctions regime is back in place.
Posted by EBW at November 8, 2004 09:55 AM | TrackBack