Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iraqis take to streets to protest government
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Iraqis take to streets to protest government
By SAMEER N. YACOUB,Associated Press Writer -
Sunday, October 11
Send
IM Story
Print
BAGHDAD – Hundreds took to the streets Saturday throughout Iraq to demand open elections and improved public services, revealing a growing discontent among Iraqis that is overshadowing concerns about the ability of Iraqi forces to take over from withdrawing American troops.
Low oil prices have left the Iraqi government struggling to restore infrastructure after years of neglect, corruption and insurgent attacks, as well as to rebuild their security forces before a planned American withdrawal in 2011.
About 200 demonstrators took to the streets in central Baghdad, chanting: "No water, no electricity in the country of oil and the two rivers," a reference to Iraq's ancient name.
Protester Najim Abid said he and others were calling on the Iraqi government and international aid organizations to take immediate action to improve conditions for Iraqis.
"They must step in and save the Iraqi people, who are suffering because of poverty and deprivation," said Abid, 52, a retired government worker.
The lack of clean water and electricity have proven to be a leading issue in January's national elections for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has campaigned on the issue of improved security. In recent days, though, al-Maliki has said rebuilding infrastructure rather than building up Iraqi forces will take priority during the next budget year.
Iraq was twice forced this year to slash its budget from $79 billion to $58.6 billion due to falling oil prices. Its budget next year is expected to be about $70 billion, still well below its funding needs.
Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi said any defense cuts next year would likely create an obstacle in training and equipping troops. He said Iraq would have to compensate by "caring about quality rather than quantity."
"There is no doubt it affects us," al-Obeidi told reporters during the opening of a new NATO headquarters in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.
Iraq has more than 640,000 security personnel, with hundreds of thousands still in need of training and, in some cases, equipment. The U.S. military has said Iraq is behind in the purchase of ships and aircraft as well as building a supply chain to keep its soldiers and police armed and resupplied.
Al-Obeidi said Iraq was carefully coordinating the training and equipping of its forces with NATO and the U.S. so it could meet its security responsibilities when U.S. combat troops withdraw by Aug. 31, 2010, under the orders of President Barack Obama.
"We will sacrifice many things for the sake of services because we cannot compare a tank to a hospital," he said.
Meanwhile, about 800 people in the southern provinces of Wasit and Basra took to the streets in support of a call by the country's most senior Shiite cleric to hold more open elections.
Iraq's parliament has been considering having the Jan. 16 ballots list only the party blocs and not the individual candidates.
Last week, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani threatened to boycott the elections if the voting system includes only the parties and not the names of the candidates. Al-Sistani wants the so-called "open list" system because he believes it will encourage more voter participation.
___
Associated Press Writer Saad Abdul-Kadir contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Turkey, Armenia to sign historic accord AP - Sunday, October 11
Talks yield signs of hope on Honduras stalemate AP - Saturday, October 10
UN police guard plane crash site after 11 die AP - Saturday, October 10
Axelrod: Afghanistan plan deeper than troop surge AP - Saturday, October 10
Clinton departs on Europe, Russia tour AFP - Saturday, October 10
News Search
Top Stories
Japan PM says too early to end regional stimulus
Obama slams big business on credit reforms
Citi to sell oil trading unit to Occidental Petroleum
US trade gap registers surprise drop
NASA blasts moon with rocket in search for water
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
NASA bombs the moon's surface in search of water
Obama slams big business on credit reforms
Citi to sell oil trading unit to Occidental Petroleum
NASA blasts moon with rocket in search for water
China exceeds 8% growth by end-Sept: official
More Most Viewed »
Oldest hominid skeleton sheds light on human origins
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 11 October 2009 Iran sentences 3 to death in mass opposition trial
Mass rally in St Petersburg against skyscraper plan
Book trade seeks a deal with Google
Japan PM says too early to end regional stimulus
Poland signs EU treaty, Czech hurdle remains
Netanyahu to meet U.S. envoy on Sunday
India set to be global leader in tech services: Forbes chief
Iran sentences 3 people to death over vote unrest
Iran sentences three to death over vote unrest
| International
|
Iraqis take to streets to protest government
Armenia and Turkey sign peace deal
Three Iranian protestors face death penalty
UK police arrest 30 as far right, opponents clash
| International
|
Ecuador to seek defense deals with Russia
| International
|
Captured insurgent in Iraq: `I will fight again'
New Iran sanctions could strengthen Rev. Guard
Gaza militants say Hamas stops their rocket fire
Bolivia to buy Chinese jets to battle drugs
| International
|
AP NewsAlert
US troops help Philippines as storm toll rises
China says time to act on NKorea disarmament talks
Afghan official: foreigners bolstering Taliban
Josh Hartnett overshadowed by ex-boyband actor Kimura
Gunmen take hostages after attack on Pakistan army HQ
Pakistan briefly blocks 2 news channels
Russians praise, GOP mocks, Obama's peace prize
Gunmen attack Pakistani army headquarters; 10 dead
Rights group urges Sri Lanka to free war refugees
Victims in Ariz. sweat lodge deaths identified
Pollution an enduring legacy at old missile sites
An Iraqi's trek from Sadr City to Monterey, Calif.
Legal fight looms over NYC's Tavern on the Green
Solar power outshining Colorado's gas industry
Japan suspends beef imports from US plant
Fire at Japan's Daihatsu leaves 1 dead, 2 injured
China, Japan, SKorea to consider free trade pact
Marge Simpson makes cover of Playboy
| Entertainment
|
Pope to canonise 'lepers' apostle' and four others
Jasper Johns proofs on display at National Gallery
Tokio Hotel aims to translate Euro success to U.S
| Entertainment
|
Iraq director pleads for post-war film backing
Iraq holy Shiite city of Najaf bans alcohol
France gives SKorea's Jeon with cultural medal
Egypt battling for more relics after Louvre success
US Marines sweep 'Taliban' villages for bombs
2012 Olympic site workers face biometric scans
Man held in France over 'Qaeda links' released: official
Pakistan commandos rescue 39 hostages, three killed
| International
|
Airlines set own emission targets
Armenia and Turkey sign peace deal
Wall Street Journal to pass USA Today as top US paper
French culture minister in new scandal after 'boy sex' row
French marines on trawlers repel pirates in Indian Ocean
Authorities in Iraq's holy Shiite city ban alcohol
Armenia-Turkey sign peace deal, pitfalls ahead
| International
|
Sri Lanka's president wins victory in native south
| International
|
Rescuers search for more bodies in the Philippines
| International
|
Honduras de facto leader further restricts media
| International
|
Pressure on Czechs after Poland signs EU treaty
| International
|
Russians vote in test for Medvedev's democracy pledge
| International
|
Obama: One more push for health care cooperation
If health care passes, subsidies will come later
Obama pledges
Most hostages rescued in operation: Pakistan army
Death sentence in China for brawl that led to riots: court
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 792
NC man in jail a week for mistaken identity
Moderate 5.9 quake shakes Tonga
FAA: In-air crash kills 2 in central Louisiana
Russia, China to sign deals on missiles, high-speed trains
Explosions in Pakistan army HQ amid hostage crisis
Dallas police sort 2,000 cases found in garage
Unknown Civil War soldier reburied in Tennessee
Calif. top justice slams state referendum process
Rep. Frank: Gays should lobby elected officials
South Korea's capital investment improving
S.Korea to reduce or stop FX bonds this yr -Yonhap
In Gaza, the zebra is a donkey
Movies from Down Under at film fest in St Tropez
First clown in space hosts show to save Earth's water
| Entertainment
|
Springsteen plays last show at Giants Stadium
Jackson's glove, Elvis' guitar sold at auction
Imagine Peace Tower lights in Second Life
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Tokio Hotel aims to translate Euro success to U.S
Russian economy to shrink 7.5% in 2009: Medvedev
Russians vote in test for Medvedev's democracy pledge
| International
|
Boyzone singer Gately dies in Spain
Israel says barred by Turkey from air exercise
First clown in space lands back on Earth
Clinton warns Iran of need for nuclear progress
Opel rescue dogged by European divisions
Israel: Turkey calls off joint air force drill
Three blasts kill at least 16 in western Iraq
| International
|
Clinton warns Iran of need for nuclear progress
| International
|
Sudanese convicted of U.S. murder dismiss defense
| International
|
U.N. mission chief denies Afghan fraud cover-up
| International
|
Myanmar builds troops on border, says Bangladesh
| International
|
Pakistan attack shows 'increasing' threat to state: Clinton
World 'won't wait indefinitely' on Iran plans: Clinton
UCLA prof.: Suspect's mental health was a concern
The nation's weather
US envoy calls on Mideast to 'take actions' for peace
US Mideast envoy meets Netanyahu on peace task
Canadian 'space clown' returns to Earth
Studio shake-up reflects changing Hollywood
New Zealand house prices continue recovery
China raises foreign fund limits to one bln dlrs
'Blind accusations' fueling US steel pipe tariffs
China opposes US antidumping probe of steel pipes
Investors reap peace dividend in Sri Lanka
High hurdles for IMF on road to new world order
Japan minister says he'll take currency 'steps'
Fight to help the traumatised after Indonesia quake
Director Polanski feels depressed in jail: lawyer
| Entertainment
|
Singer says he may make another 'X-Men' movie
Gately of Irish boy band Boyzone dies in Mallorca
Studio shake-up reflects changing Hollywood
Lohan's celebrity catwalk dismays fashion world
Tough times boost Bangladesh shipbuilding
'SoleRebels,' Ethiopian answer to 'Nike'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights