Must Reads McCain's Rosy Picture Shattered

Articles filed by Reuters and the New York Times in Baghdad shatter the rosy picture painted by Senator John McCain after his arrival yesterday in Iraq. Last week, McCain claimed that there are “neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today,” and on his trip recent trip to the city he tried to back up his claim by walking around the Shorja Market. [Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, 3/26/07] The New York Times noted that McCain was protected by more “than 100 soldiers in armored Humvees — the equivalent of an entire company — and attack helicopters circled overhead.” One merchant said that the visit was “only for the media.” The safety was only temporary, as Reuters indicated that snipers, who have killed roughly one person a day on average in the market, returned the day after McCain left.

McCain Wrong on Iraq Security, Merchants Say
The New York Times
April 2, 2007
By Kirk Semple

“BAGHDAD, April 2 — A day after members of an American Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain pointed to their brief visit to Baghdad’s central market as evidence that the new security plan for the city was working, the merchants there were incredulous about the Americans’ conclusions. ‘What are they talking about?’ Ali Jassim Faiyad, the owner of an electrical appliances shop in the market, said Monday. ‘The security procedures were abnormal!’

“The delegation arrived at the market, which is called Shorja, on Sunday with more than 100 soldiers in armored Humvees — the equivalent of an entire company — and attack helicopters circled overhead, a senior American military official in Baghdad said. The soldiers redirected traffic from the area and restricted access to the Americans, witnesses said, and sharpshooters were posted on the roofs. The congressmen wore bulletproof vests throughout their hourlong visit. ‘They paralyzed the market when they came,’ Mr. Faiyad said during an interview in his shop on Monday. ‘This was only for the media.’ He added, ‘This will not change anything.’”

"… At least 61 people were killed and many more wounded in a three-pronged attack there on Feb. 12 involving two vehicle bombs and a roadside bomb.”

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Snipers back at Baghdad market after McCain visit
Reuters
April 2, 2007
By Mussab Al-Khairalla

“The crack of shots fired by unseen snipers echoed on Monday through Baghdad's wholesale Shorja market, a day after U.S. Senator John McCain held up his visit there as one sign of improving security in Baghdad. …

“Shoppers and merchants agreed on Monday that security had improved since the start of the operation, when the market was blocked off to prevent further such bombings, but took issue with what they considered an overly upbeat assessment by McCain. Many still do not dare venture into the northern half of the long street, beyond a overhead pedestrian bridge, and enter what is dubbed "The sniper zone", where people are picked off by gunmen on nearby rooftops.

“Merchants said the snipers, whom they claim came from the neighboring Sunni Fadhl neighborhood, killed at least one person a day on average.”

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