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03/28/2004 Archived Entry: "Bringing democracy to Iraq..."
Bringing democracy to Iraq...
Except for that pesky 'free press' part.
Several thousand Iraqis protested the closure of a newspaper Sunday, chanting anti-U.S. slogans and burning American flags outside the newspaper's office in Baghdad.The U.S.-led civil administration in Iraq closed the Baghdad newspaper Al Hawsa for 60 days, accusing its publishers of inciting violence against coalition troops.
The paper is published by followers of prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
"If the Coalition forces are going to keep on presenting us with such messages... they can just dream about any sort of end to terrorism," a statement from the newspaper said. "And they can also dream that we will stay quiet and step down from what we believe."
The Coalition Provisional Authority accused the paper's editors of printing articles that incited violence against U.S. and other coalition troops -- a violation of coalition regulations.
The building was sealed, and anyone caught attempting to publish the paper could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Replies: somebody speaks up.
If we don't have a free press why should Iraq have one?
Posted by Smafty @ 03/28/2004 10:34 PM NY
