Monday, March 31, 2003

Thirsty Iraqis Finally Get Water


UMM QASR (Reuters) - British troops have opened the taps on a hastily built water pipeline across the Kuwait-Iraq border finally quenching a desperate thirst in the southern port city of Umm Qasr.
The civilian population of southern Iraq has been suffering from a critical shortage of water since U.S. and British ground troops launched a land invasion 12 days ago to try and overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Standing on the roadside day after day, Iraqis have resorted to digging up dirty water from wells or begging soldiers for water, cupping their hands to their mouths as convoys pass to show they are thirsty.
Ad hoc distribution of bottles of mineral water from the back of military trucks has led to near riots and have drawn criticism from aid organisations who say the most needy are losing out.
British forces say water supplies which used to come south from Iraq's second city of Basra were cut off under the orders of Saddam when the invasion began. Iraqis say the water infrastructure was damaged by U.S. and British forces in the thunderous ground assault.
"We've been drinking foul water from the ground," Kathim Hussein said. "It's disgusting. Not even animals would drink it."

Now I know I'm not planning this war, but this is a southern port city. SOUTHERN PORT. We can't get water to a southern port town? Here is Umm Qasr on a MAP. It does not bode well for the "humanitarian" aspect of this war. So what, they'll all be liberated if they don't die of thirst first?

The world is watching, Mr. Bush...fix your war.

Kansas @ 1:43 PM