The US State Dept gets praise. Today France's Foreign Ministry has condemned the weekend violence in Iraq. Today also sees the European Union doing the same.
Not a word from the US State Dept but that's because they were at work on Saturday. We'll again note their statement in full:
Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
August 10, 2013
The
United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly
attacks today in Baghdad. These attacks were aimed at families
celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan. The terrorists who committed these acts are
enemies of Islam and a shared enemy of the United States, Iraq, and the
international community.
The attacks today bear the hallmarks of similar suicide and vehicle bomb attacks in Iraq over the past ninety days. Most of these attacks have been perpetrated by al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). AQI is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. He is also listed at the United Nations Security Council 1267/1989 al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, also known as Abu D'ua, is now based in Syria and has changed the name of AQI to the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS). He has taken personal credit for a series of terrorist attacks in Iraq since 2011, and most recently claimed credit for the operations against the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, the suicide bombing assault on the Ministry of Justice, among other attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi citizens going about their daily lives.
The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information that helps authorities kill or capture Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. This reward is second only to information leading to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the chief of Al Qaeda’s network, and symbolizes our ongoing commitment to helping our partners in the region eliminate this threat from their territory.
In this regard, the United States is prepared to work closely with the Iraqi Government to confront the threat posed by Al Qaeda in Iraq and other terrorist groups. We look forward to discussing bilateral cooperation in this and other areas, pursuant to the Strategic Framework Agreement between our two countries, during the upcoming visit of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari next week in Washington.
Our deepest condolences go out to the victims of today's attacks and we hope for the quick recovery of those injured. The United States will stand with the Iraqi people as they work to overcome these horrific attacks perpetrated by a common enemy.
The attacks today bear the hallmarks of similar suicide and vehicle bomb attacks in Iraq over the past ninety days. Most of these attacks have been perpetrated by al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). AQI is led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. He is also listed at the United Nations Security Council 1267/1989 al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, also known as Abu D'ua, is now based in Syria and has changed the name of AQI to the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS). He has taken personal credit for a series of terrorist attacks in Iraq since 2011, and most recently claimed credit for the operations against the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, the suicide bombing assault on the Ministry of Justice, among other attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi citizens going about their daily lives.
The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information that helps authorities kill or capture Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. This reward is second only to information leading to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the chief of Al Qaeda’s network, and symbolizes our ongoing commitment to helping our partners in the region eliminate this threat from their territory.
In this regard, the United States is prepared to work closely with the Iraqi Government to confront the threat posed by Al Qaeda in Iraq and other terrorist groups. We look forward to discussing bilateral cooperation in this and other areas, pursuant to the Strategic Framework Agreement between our two countries, during the upcoming visit of Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari next week in Washington.
Our deepest condolences go out to the victims of today's attacks and we hope for the quick recovery of those injured. The United States will stand with the Iraqi people as they work to overcome these horrific attacks perpetrated by a common enemy.
Again, praise for the State Dept for condemning the violence and allowing the US to be the first foreign government to do so. When the Boston attack took place a few months back, you probably noticed which countries condemned it with statements and offered their hope and solidarity. Iraqis are no different and they register who is issuing statements. Yes, they can be seen as empty words by some. But when the US repeatedly 'forgets' to issue such statements, it does send a message. So strong praise for the State Dept.
I was on the phone when the idea for this theme came to me and I was on the phone with a friend at The Nation magazine. Could I, I was asked, note a piece by Robert Dreyfuss? It mentions Iraq and I've been griping about how The Nation (griping in phone calls) is not covering what's happening in Iraq.
I don't care for Bob Dreyfuss but I said sure, shared my theme and said I'd read it, link to it and include him in this.
He still gets included and I'll even link to his garbage but that's all it is: Garbage.
Bob's Benghazi crap is embarrassing. Reality: It wasn't about the budget. And if you're turning down Chris Stevens request, you're turning it down. Don't blame it on Republicans. The reality there was established in October of last year with Charlene Lamb and Patrick Kennedy's testimony. You're late to the party and you arrived with only your talking points -- Bob, no one needs to see that.
Second, the garbage isn't about Iraq. When it does get to Iraq, he's covering a an event from weeks ago. It's August 12 and he's writing (badly) about what news NBC News covered on the air July 23rd.
20 days ago.
The Nation's an embarrassment. Failing grade to it.
If you need your Daily Outrage, The Nation will provide it. They'll find some stupid thing that some Republican -- in federal, state or local office -- did and distract you with that.
But in terms of telling you what you need to know today to be informed and make a difference, they're useless.
In violence today, NINA reports that 1 police officer was shot dead in Falluja, 1 civilian was shot dead in Falluja, an armed attack on a Shirqat police station left 1 police officer and 2 rebels dead and 2 Baquba bombings left four people injured.
We'll cover Law and Disorder Radio in the snapshot (we usually note it in the morning entries). I did not realize this was going to be a morning where things went up late. My apologies. Kat's "Kat's Korner: Sam Phillips finally comes across" and Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "The Rebranding" went up yesterday.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
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