US still the villain in Iraq's former rebel bastion - Yahoo! News: "Anti-American sentiment and distrust for Washington runs deep even among senior Iraqi officials in Fallujah.
'I want to see the Americans leave as early as possible,' said Mayor Saad Awwad Rashid, a man well respected in Fallujah for his pro-active approach to ease the daily problems of his constituents.
'People hate Americans, especially when they come to arbitrary arrests, including of women. I want the Americans to go out of Iraq. It does not matter who wins US elections. It is of no interest to us.'
The Sunnis of Fallujah, who have to carry special identity cards to move in and out of the city, also have no patience towards Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki or the security deal he is negotiating with Washington.
'We don't need Americans for three more years. We don't need SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement),' said Abdullah, referring to the security pact that will determine the presence of US forces in Iraq after 2008.
'Iraqi forces are now ready and can secure the country.'
A draft SOFA agreement stipulates that American forces would withdraw from Iraq by December 2011.
Doctor Awad shares Abdullah's views.
'I don't trust Obama or McCain. Even Obama's promises of withdrawing the forces will remain only a promise,' he said.
'I want to see the Americans leave as early as possible,' said Mayor Saad Awwad Rashid, a man well respected in Fallujah for his pro-active approach to ease the daily problems of his constituents.
'People hate Americans, especially when they come to arbitrary arrests, including of women. I want the Americans to go out of Iraq. It does not matter who wins US elections. It is of no interest to us.'
The Sunnis of Fallujah, who have to carry special identity cards to move in and out of the city, also have no patience towards Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki or the security deal he is negotiating with Washington.
'We don't need Americans for three more years. We don't need SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement),' said Abdullah, referring to the security pact that will determine the presence of US forces in Iraq after 2008.
'Iraqi forces are now ready and can secure the country.'
A draft SOFA agreement stipulates that American forces would withdraw from Iraq by December 2011.
Doctor Awad shares Abdullah's views.
'I don't trust Obama or McCain. Even Obama's promises of withdrawing the forces will remain only a promise,' he said.
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