Iraq Extends Deadline for Shi'ite Militias to Disarm

Kaitlin Monroig
Iraq Extends Deadline for Shi'ite Militias to Disarm
March 27, 2008
VOA News
http://voanews.com/english/2008-03-28-voa7.cfm

I. Summary
This article is describing the desperate attempts to end the on going violence in Iraq. Specifically in the city of Basra where Shi'ite gunmen are fighting government forces. In attempt to have a cease-fire, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has extended the deadline for the gunmen to surrender their weapons and end the violence. He has said that the gunmen will be rewarded financially if they surrender their weapons between this Saturday and April 8. The previous deadline was set for Friday, but it was necessary to elongate it. Though, violence continues and not only in this one city. The office of Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi was under attack which is located in the Green Zone where international forces are present. US Embassy personnel were encouraged to remain inside because of two casualties by rocket fire. Most of the gunmen are under the lead of radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr who wants to negotiate a deal with government forces. However Prime Minister Maliki has said he will continue the military offensive without retreat. In another attempt to end violence, Iraqi authorities have enforced a three day curfew until 5 a.m.Saturday. This ongoing struggle between the militias and Iraqi forces seem to have no end.

II. Reactions

A) This article relates to the AP world history theme of impact of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment because of the new weaponry developments that the militias are getting a hold of and using for destruction of buildings and people.
B) The struggle between the Iraqi forces and Shi'ite forces has been going on for years. Their oppression can be dated back for years and years especially under Saddam Hussein's rule. After the 1991 Gulf War, when they organized a revolt. Their religious leaders were being killed constantly and since then tensions have grown between them and their government. They became violent because they were not being accepted and killed by the masses.
C) Although the gender and name of the author is not provided, the website was created by Americans so they are outsiders because it is not based on a first account.
D) There definitely is a point of view because when you read the article you can feel that the author believes the Shi'tes are wrong in their beliefs and actions. Of course it's inhumane to kill hundreds of people, but they feel they need to do that to be respected.
E) A point of view that is missing from the article is and insider or an Iraqi citizen because there are no direct quotes given. It is someone's summary of what others are saying. I would like to hear from the Prime Minister to hear his reasoning fr a curfew and how he could expect the Shi'ites to surrender their weapons if this has been going on for years.
F) When i read this article i was a little confused as to how the Iraqi authority expected the Shi'ites to surrender if they are still attacking and bombing buildings to show a point. I know they are just trying to end the violence in Iraq, but I think they are going to have to go about it in a different way because it doesn't seem like this one will be successful.