They just got a different tool to use than we do: They kill innocent lives to achieve objectives. That's what they do. And they're good. They get on the TV screens and they get people to ask questions about, well, you know, this, that or the other. I mean, they're able to kind of say to people: Don't come and bother us, because we will kill you. Bush - Joint News Conference with Blair - 28 July '06

Thursday, December 23, 2004

Irises scanned in Fallujah as residents return

BBC News reports: An initial group of 2,000 is being allowed

At US checkpoints, returning men of military age are being fingerprinted and having their irises scanned

And east of the city, about 100 people lined up at an Iraqi National Guard checkpoint to receive passes giving them permission to enter.

A spokesman for the US marines said Falluja was not yet ready for what he called comfortable living

BBC's Caroline Hawley in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, says civilians who fled the city to neighbouring areas are now desperate to return.

The government says it has set up water tanks for them in the city, and will give each returning resident $100.

It is also promising eventually to pay compensation to the many whose homes have been destroyed or damaged. Link