[Peace-discuss] Tet 2004?

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Disturbing reports on how bad the fighting is in Iraq -- nowhere near the
levels of the Tet offensive of 1968, but I wonder if it might have
something of the same effect. That was an election year too, and Tet
marked the beginning of the end of the war and drove a popular president
from office.  The following, from about 5pm this evening, is from Skynews
(Murdoch/UK), so should be treated with reserve -- e.g., it shares space
on their "World News" site with the headline, "Lady Who Knows Says JFK Was
Lousy In Bed"...  That's what the for-profit media think the historical
memory of the 60s should be, not Tet. --CGE]


HEAVY FIGHTING IN IRAQ

A large number of soldiers have been killed in fierce fighting in Iraq,
according to unconfirmed reports.

Some reports have put the toll as high as 130 but others have put the
death toll at 12 with 20 wounded.

The large scale battle, described as "intense", has taken place in the
town of Ar Ramadi, 20 miles west of Fallujah.

Sky News' David Chater said: "None of this is official yet - none of it is
confirmed."

But he added: "It sounds very much like this is being carried out by men
who are militarily trained."

Chater described the attack as "highly sophisticated".

Meanwhile, Tony Blair has announced he will fly to Washington to meet
George Bush on April 16 to discuss the worsening situation.

Iraqi radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has vowed to continue a Shi'ite
uprising until the forces answer his demands.

It has forced Mr Bush to consider sending more troops in an attempt to
deal with, what is in effect, an attempted coup.

The cleric's aide said the Coalition must withdraw troops from populated
areas, such as Baghdad and Fallujah, and release prisoners.

The demands are in addition to the original call for al-Sadr's extremist
newspaper to be reopened after the coalition shut it down.

Al-Sadr's militiamen have opened up three fronts across the country,
targeting coalition forces and causing casualties in American, British and
Italian held areas.

Sky's David Chater in Baghdad said: "They (the militias) have shown their
military might and their demands are growing.
	
	
	

"

Al-Sadr is believed to have gone underground in an attempt to keep his
armed opposition going.

Dozens have died in the past two days in an apparent grab at the Shi'ite
leadership by the young cleric.

Latest figures reveal the death of four US troops in an operation west of
Baghdad in the province of al-Anbar on Monday.

At least 39 Iraqis have been killed and 126 others wounded in clashes
between al-Sadr's militiamen and US soldiers in the past 48 hours, a
hospital chief said.

An additional 12 Iraqis died and 27 others were wounded in separate
fighting with British troops in the southeastern city of Amara during the
same period.

While 500 Italian soldiers, serving in the southern town of Nassiriya,
were caught in an hour-long gun battle today which left 15 civilians dead.
Eleven of the Italians were injured, but not seriously.

Spanish troops tried to quell a revolt in their area, but were pushed back
and they returned to their barracks.

But the British have agreed a deal with al-Sadr's militiamen to re-take
the governor's office in Basra, one of the incidents which sparked the
current crisis.

The situation is not so encouraging in the north of the country where
hundreds of US and Iraqi troops have surrounded the city of Fallujah where
earlier a mob killed four Americans and mutilated their bodies.

US Apache helicopters sprayed fire on the private army of the radical
cleric during fierce battles in a Baghdad district.
Last Updated: 21:58 UK, Tuesday April 06, 2004