U.S. arrests mayor of Falluja... for quitting without their permission?!

[Brotherjohn]

Among the targets of the weekend raid on Falluja was the office of mayor Raed Hussein Breisha. After this attack and receiving "numerous death threats", Breisha resigned, along with several other local officials. One could hardly blame him.
(http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1046343.htm)

U.S. forces promptly arrested him, but the reason was "unclear". According to the deputy head of the city council, it was because "he did not have their permission to quit".

I heard this story on NPR, and could scarcely believe it. There was barely a mention of the arrest (the story was about the attacks and security in Iraq). There was the fact that he was one of the targets of the raid, but no mention that he was implicated in them... simply the brief statement that he was arrested.

Listening to the NPR story, it just smacked of retribution for quitting. But even more so after reading this article, in which another local official outright says so. I guess they're going to have to cooperate whether they like it or not. We've made the Iraqis "an offer they can't refuse"

It's a good thing we're bringing democracy to Iraq! I'm sure the ex-mayor of Falluja's children appreciate it.

[Gman]

1. How dare he quit

when his life and his family have been threatened. This might look bad on the Bush campaign.

The more I read this stuff, the more I see Abby Hoffman's words in my sig line and how they still apply today.