freedom watch

You may remember (possibly he does too) Thursday, when Our Fearless Leader explained to us that upcoming elections in Iraq would be held according to the current schedule and leave the world "amazed that a society has been transformed so quickly"

He may have something there

Iraq's security forces are unable to handle the challenge presented by the first elections since the fall of Saddam, even with extra American soldiers being deployed to help them, according to one of the US military's most senior officers.

The comments from General John Abizaid, head of US Central Command, follows months of statements by senior officials - from George Bush downwards - talking up Iraq's new police and national guard forces.

It comes as UN election adviser Lakhdar Brahimi cast fresh doubt on whether elections could take place in the present circumstances.

Brahimi told a Dutch newspaper in an interview published yesterday: 'Elections are no magic potion, but part of a political process. They must be prepared well and take place at the right time to produce the good effects that you expect from them.'

Asked if elections under present conditions were possible, Brahimi said: 'If the circumstances stay as they are, I personally don't think so. It is a mess in Iraq.'

The comments came after fresh attacks on Iraqi police this weekend and a week in which the US embassy banned its employees from using the road to Baghdad airport because of the dangers involved.


Sisyphus Shrugged


Now the Americans.