Despite a new security strategy that supposedly seeks to speed up the formation of a New Iraqi Army by recruiting former Iraqi officers, there has been no progress on the fate of the imprisoned Iraqi generals whose release we are advocating.
Note that we do not seek the freedom of all imprisoned Iraqi generals - just a specific, deserving subset.
To recap, these are Iraqi brigadier generals and generals who surrendered honourably with their units to American forces during the war, were never Republican Guard, have committed no crimes against the Iraqi people and were not strongly connected with the Iraqi regime (to the satisfaction of their American interrogators). Many are willing to assist with a reconstruction task that is both urgent and difficult. Their continued imprisonment makes no sense, and does a disservice to both American interests and fundamental justice. It's driven by simple CYA(Cover Your Ass) bureaucracy, and won't change unless people like you step up and help.
(N.B. The Generals were freed on Oct. 10th. Thanks so much to all who helped!)
As it happens, I've been doing more digging.
These Iraqis come under military authority, and the commander in Iraq is Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez. My military and ex-military sources also say the brass are likely to defer to the commander on the ground, so he's probably da man. I've verified that this address will reach him. Postage should be $0.80-$1.55 for a simple air mail letter to Iraq, see this USPS calculator:
General Sanchez
CPA
Baghdad, Iraq
Want some help re: what to say? No, problem, we have your key points right here. That link also has a collection of advocacy buttons and their HTML code for your blog. Finally, you may also wish to read:
* General's Daughter's Appeal
* Generals, Sick, Demonstrations, Beliefs
(Sept. 07/03, the best summary of why The Chief advocates their release, and his qualifications for doing so). * Joy, Grateful For, Miracles
(July 6/03, shows the good and bad) ADDENDUM: At least The Chief's "Toys for Iraq" drive is going well.
(Sept. 07/03, the best summary of why The Chief advocates their release, and his qualifications for doing so). * Joy, Grateful For, Miracles
(July 6/03, shows the good and bad) ADDENDUM: At least The Chief's "Toys for Iraq" drive is going well.
Joe,
You know more than I, but don't you think the situation would improve more dramatically if the US was more imposing and assertive and found and imprisoned more of the thousands of released violent criminals and Baathists all over the place causing havoc?
Good news: that seems to be happening.
Which doesn't explain the imprisonment of these generals, who could be helping the USA solve these and other problems instead of becoming bitter and turning their families against the USA too.