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Iraq: Positive moves?

If it weren't so tragic it could be rather comical.....

At the same time as the White House spins about the signs of things improving in Iraq - and little sir-echo Oz Foreign Minister Lord Downer of Baghdad repeating the same nonsense - the IHT today reports that US soldiers are to be confined to the Green Zone in Baghdad:

"The United States on Tuesday suspended all land travel by U.S. diplomats and other civilian officials in Iraq outside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, amid mounting public outrage over the alleged killing of civilians by the U.S. Embassy's security provider Blackwater USA.

The move came even as the Iraqi government appeared to back down from statements Monday that it had permanently revoked Blackwater's license and would order its 1,000 personnel to leave the country — depriving American diplomats of security protection essential to operating in Baghdad.

"We are not intending to stop them and revoke their license indefinitely but we do need them to respect the law and the regulation here in Iraq," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told CNN.

The U.S. order confines most American officials to a 9-square kilometer (3.5 sq. mile) area in the center of the city, meaning they cannot visit U.S.-funded construction sites or Iraqi officials elsewhere in the country except by helicopter. The notice did not say when the suspension would expire."

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