[Peace-discuss] THIS VERIFIES NO FREEDOM EXISTS

[Dlind49 at aol.com]

U.S. Seals Off Saddam's Home Village
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
 
Filed at 7:56 a.m. ET

UJA, Iraq (AP) -- American soldiers on Friday sealed off the village where 
Saddam Hussein was born and ordered adults to register for identity cards that 
will allow them to move in and out of the community.

The New York Times reported Friday that senior U.S. officials believe the 
former Iraqi leader, who has been on the run since U.S. forces took over Baghdad 
in April, is playing a major role in coordinating and directing attacks 
against American troops.

``This is an effort to protect the majority of the population, the people who 
want to get on with their lives,'' said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a battalion 
commander in the 4th Infantry Division.

Russell said he did not know whether Saddam was directing parts of the 
insurgency, but the village is the family home of many former Baathist regime 
members.

``There are ties leading to this village, to the funding and planning of 
attacks against U.S. soldiers,'' Russell said.

The operation would provide ``controlled access'' to Uja, Russell said.

Starting around midnight Thursday, U.S. soldiers, Iraqi police and civil 
defense forces moved into this small dusty village about six miles southeast of 
Tikrit.

Soldiers erected a fence of barbed wire, stretched over wooden poles, and 
laid spirals of concertina wire around the perimeter of the village. Local Iraqi 
workmen were hired to help erect the fence.

Meanwhile, groups of soldiers were positioned in dugout holes at strategic 
points surrounding the village and Bradley armored vehicles provided security.

The soldiers also established checkpoints on the road leading in and out of 
this village of about 3,500 residents. All cars were stopped and searched and 
people on the road were questioned about their identity.

The area around Tikrit, 120 miles north of Baghdad, is considered a hotbed of 
resistance to coalition troops.

Everybody more than 18 years old would have to register with the coalition 
forces and receive identity cards that will allow them to move in and out of the 
village, U.S. officers said.

``There are a lot of peaceful people here but there are some who are stirring 
up trouble in Uja,'' said Capt. Mark Staffler, from Harrisburg, Pa. ``We want 
to help them make a better Iraq.''

By morning, dozens of men from Uja had lined up outside the local police 
station, waiting to give personal information and have their picture taken for a 
computer-made ID card.

The rest of Uja appeared calm. From the minaret of the village's modern 
mosque came calls for the midday prayer.

Most of the villagers were from the al-Naseri clan and related to Saddam.

``We are not really afraid, but what choice do I have,'' said Ali Sherif 
al-Naseri, who said he was a cousing of Saddam's. ``It may not be totally fair but 
it's a good idea.''

The Uja chief of police, Ahmed Hamza al-Naseri, said the military operation 
took him by surprise.

``I didn't know what was going on until I received a call in the middle of 
the night,'' he said. ``This is all new to the people of Uja, they may be afraid 
at first, but they will accept it.''

As an example to others, the police chief said he was first to get an ID card.