Loose cannons

Issue 

Saddam-lite I

"[US-appointed Iraqi prime minister Iyad] Allawi was a Baathist, and his vision for Iraq almost seems like Saddam-lite or neo-Saddam in the sense that he believes in a strong central government and a large army which would also perform internal security duties... He believes in strong domestic spying agencies. His whole outlook seems very similar to Saddam in his early career." — Kenneth Katzman, a former Iraq analyst with the CIA who is now an analyst at the US Congressional Research Service, quoted by the New Republic magazine, July 14.

Saddam-lite II

"Iyad Allawi, the new prime minister of Iraq, pulled a pistol and executed as many as six suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station, just days before Washington handed control of the country to his interim government, according to two people who allege they witnessed the killings." — Sydney Morning Herald, July 17.

Much better to have it done by a US stooge

"If we had followed the view of the Labor Party here and the view of the French and the Germans and the Russians and left the thing to the United Nations, Saddam would still be running Iraq and still murdering people." — Prime Menzies John Howard, July 22.

Oxy-moron

"I want to be the peace president." — Emperor George Bush II, July 20.

From Green Left Weekly, July 28, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.


If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.