Traditionally, wedding anniversaries are celebrated by giving a gift made from a different material (the first year is paper, the second cotton and so on).

The first anniversary of the American occupation of Iraq seems to be placed under the sign of blood. The Chinese news agency Xinhuanet gives death toll figures:

• The announced death toll of the American soldiers has nearly reached 670 until March 19, 2004, however, Iraqis believed that the real number is much higher and accused the American authorities of lying.
  
  
• In the second year after the war, the Americans want to correct some of their mistakes by re-establishing Iraq's defense ministry, the Iraqi army and the police force to facilitate the transfer of power to Iraqis by June 30. Being accused of cooperating with the Americans, the new Iraqi police force has also become the target of terrorist attacks.
  
  
• Lieutenant General Ahmed Kadhum, head of the police force, said that the death toll in the Iraqi police force had reached about 600, but the Iraqi police would continue preserving security and cracking down criminals and terrorists.

Xinhuanet goes on reporting "some observers complained that the Americans left the borders open to let the terrorists easily enter the country."

Only time will tell if Iraq can in some way benefit from the US occupation. On a lighter and more cynical note, since the third wedding anniversary is leather, is that some kind of hint as to how the situation will evolve?

Categorie(s)/Catégorie(s): Iraq

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