Iraq's Beauty Queen Resigns After Four Days

[NNN0LHI]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1825659

BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 10, 2006 — Iraq's newly crowned beauty queen, Tamar Goregian, has decided to step down — just four days after her election, making this the shortest reign in the pageant's 60-year history.

On April 9, the 23-year-old, who was the first Armenian Iraqi to win the Miss Iraq pageant, announced her resignation after receiving threats by a group of religious extremists who referred to her as "the queen of infidels" for participating in the contest.

The pageant director said: "I respect her decision. The country is undergoing rough times, and we understand her desire to protect herself and her family."

This was the first time since the U.S.-led war against Iraq that the pageant was held on Iraqi soil. The last time this pageant was held here was in 2002. Since then, Iraqi exiles had been forced to hold the contest in Kenya where a wealthy Iraqi businessman funded the event.

[KingFlorez]

1. And this is the progress that has been made?

Seems to me the whole place has been set way back in civilization

[magellan]

2. How sad

Radical religious folks sure do know how to suck every last bit of joy out of life for everyone, don't they?

[Crankie Avalon]

3. The media needs to start reporting the good things happening in Iraq...

...like, for example, the crowning this week of a Ms. Iraq beauty contest winner. :woohoo:

She just resigned due to death threats? Four day reign???

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM???!!!:banghead:

[stellanoir]

4. You've got to be kidding

OMG henceforth and heretofore riverbend is the indisputable beauty queen of Iraq.

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com

[BlueEyedSon]

5. wow, that freedom just keeps a-marchin' on....