Monday, April 23, 2007

Ambassador Crocker says U.S. will 'respect wishes' on wall, but Iraq spokesman says 'barriers' to continue


BAGHDAD – The American ambassador said Monday the U.S. would “respect the wishes” of the Iraqi government after the prime minister ordered a halt to construction of a three-mile wall separating a Sunni enclave from surrounding Shiite areas in Baghdad...

However, confusion persisted about whether the plan would continue in some form: The chief Iraqi military spokesman said Monday the prime minister was responding to exaggerated reports about the barrier.

“We will continue to construct the security barriers in the Azamiyah neighborhood. This is a technical issue,” Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said. “Setting up barriers is one thing and building barriers is another. These are moveable barriers that can be removed.”

Read the rest at the San Diego Tribune

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