No civil war despite raging Iraqi violence: US official

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Raging violence in Iraq is not a civil war, but the Baghdad government must clamp down on sectarian combat within six months or it will roar out of control, a senior US official has said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted Tuesday that sectarian killings were getting worse, and said such violence was the number one challenge for the administration of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

"I believe that it is not a civil war based on my definition of it -- different people may have different definitions," the official said.

As state institutions were intact, and representatives of different communities remained in government, violence spilling onto the streets of Baghdad and elsewhere did not meet the bar for civil war, the official said.

"But there is no question that there is a sectarian conflict and sectarian violence is the principal problem. I think it is not inevitable that we are heading toward a civil war."

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060711/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqunrest

[mike_c]

1. the propaganda war continues....

:puke:

[saigon68]

25. ASSCLOWNS

IF IT QUACKS LIKE A DUCK ETC ETC.

[kstewart33]

2. Why would this article even be written?

It is worthless. The opinion of an unnamed official, namby pambying about the definition of a civil war.
And spinning away.

The only interesting thing about the article is the question it raises--why wasn't he or she identified? It's typical WHouse pablum, what's controversial about that?

[Ron Green]

7. You're right . . .any NAMED official can say this. What's really going on?

[Yoda Yada]

3. The words "civil war" are no longer allowed.

The authorized term is now "sectarian combat".

spin...spin...spin...

[Rose Siding]

4. Oh, really? And is this the Iraqi govt that must clamp down on violence?-

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=221696&mesg_id=221696

Smoke and mirrors, Mr/Ms senior official. SPEAKING of which, what EXACTLY about this BS requires anonymity?

[gratuitous]

5. Uh oh, one Friedman away from civil war

That is, depending on how you define a civil war. But by not calling it a civil war, it isn't a civil war. You see Ken Burns? No? Not a civil war. You hear Shelby Foote? No? Not a civil war. See how it works?

But it will be a civil war in six months (one Friedman) if thngs don't improve. Uh huh.

[maddezmom]

6. sectarian conflict and sectarian violence = civil war in my book

[Eugene]

8. By this standard a civil war is virtually impossible.

The "intact" Iraqi government cannot even control its own capital city.
The warring factions have people in government, but their militias
are killing people left, right, and center. Sure, al Sadr is part
of the ruling coalition, but his Mehdi Army is kidnapping rivals,
openly fighting U.S.-backed forces.

If this isn't civil war, what is?

[Barrett808]

9. Just the words of Iyad Allawi, a few months ago. n/t

[The Icon Painter]

10. Six Months

Is everyone noticing how we always have just 'six months' to save whatever we're supposed to be saving in Iraq and everywhere else? Never more and never less. And we are never told when our six months runs out. Seems peculiar to me.

[Ilsa]

18. Exactly! Rumsferatu is always saying this. Cheney has said it.

Rice, Bush, allof them are reading from the same damn script. "The Iraqi people have formed a new government. The next six months will determine blah blah blah."

[The Icon Painter]

19. New Term

Somewhere I read someone had started calling this span of time 'One Friedman' in honour of dear Thomas. :P

[warrens]

11. His definition of Civil War

One side has to dress in blue and the other side in gray and they have to go back to the mid-1800s in time-travel machines, or it's not a REAL civil war. Oh, and they have to eat hardtack. And fire muskets. And sing Stephen Foster songs. So stop calling it a Civil War, you lieberal demoncrats.

[Beetwasher]

16. Ahh!

Great minds! Didn't see your post before I posted!

[0007]

12. Shoring up Iraq with the same old worn out props is getting old

appears that the sheeple will never wake up to Hitler junior and his army of thugs.

[kskiska]

13. It all depends

on what your personal reality is. If you're living in a reality-based world, it's civil war. If you're living in BushWorld…it could be anything you want it to be.

[hadrons]

14. remember Kevin Bacon in Animal House?

"REMAIN CALM ... EVERYTHIN IS OK!!!"

[Beetwasher]

15. Everyone Knows That REAL Civil Wars Are Fought W/ Muskets!

Until they get their hands on some muskets, it doesn't fit my definition of Civil War either. Oh, and you need TWO sides, the North and the South. Don't the Iraqi's know anything? Until they divide nicely up into two sides (North & South), and start killing eachother w/ muskets, it ain't no civil war.

[Thorn]

23. ha

Sorry, didn't see your post either. Must be the great mind thing.

[frylock]

17. it will never be recognized as a "civil war", and here's why..

Civil War, as defined by GlobalSecurity.org:

A war between factions of the same country; there are five criteria for international recognition of this status: the contestants must control territory, have a functioning government, enjoy some foreign recognition, have identifiable regular armed forces, and engage in major military operations.

[badgervan]

20. Global Who?

Who the hell is GlobalSecurity.org, and what gives them the legal right to define anything? Run by who? Political leanings? Funded by who?

[wanpete]

can't call it a civil war until after our midterm elections...

would want Americans to hear the real truth about the mess that we are in over there(the one we created, by the way). So it will be sectarian combat that, in six months (post November elections) will become an actual civil war.

The propaganda is sickening. It's time for real change folks.

[wanpete]

21. can't call it a civil war until after our midterm elections...

would want Americans to hear the real truth about the mess that we are in over there(the one we created, by the way). So it will be sectarian combat that, in six months (post November elections) will become an actual civil war.

The propaganda is sickening. It's time for real change folks.

[Thorn]

22. That's good to hear!

I certainly feel better now. It's nice to hear a reassuring voice that I trust.
... If they killed each other with muskets, would it be a civil war then?

[Javaman]

24. Just more whistling past the graveyard. nt

[Massachusetts]

26. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity

"I believe that it is not a civil war based on my definition of it " Sums it up