Iraq Press Roundup

The Association of Muslim Scholars' Al Basaer Newspaper said Monday the current days mark the start of the sixth year to the U.S.-British invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The editorial with the title "The sixth year of invasion" said that in 2003, the U.S. administration carried out the war in cooperation with Britain.

"Five years ago, lies were being told to convince the world that Iraq had become a threat to the entire world, that it was full of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, and that Iraq was allied with al-Qaida," it said.

It criticized the U.N. Security Council discussions on Iraq's noncompliance with weapons inspectors though the Iraqi government had opened its doors to inspectors. The editorial accused the media of being subservient to U.S. and "Zionist" interests and of filling the public with lies about Iraq being a threat to world peace.

"The misconception of the U.S. Congress made the U.S. public cheer for a war and invasion that would save the U.S. national security from the evil of Iraq; the evil that won't disappear unless with a war and removal of a government took place," it said.

The paper said five years after the invasion that destroyed an entire nation and state, things are uncovered, and the occupation has turned to be illegitimate.

"After the invasion and the fall of the Iraqi government, Colin Powell and others who set up the lies, started finally to admit their mistakes," it said.

It said five years of the occupation has led to Iraqis confronting the "bitter realities" and miseries.

It also said Iraq is not a simple target and will be difficult to leave.

It said President Bush and other conservatives face shame and anger from the public, and scandals against them continue to erupt.

"These scandals make it impossible for the conservatives to re-enter the White House," it said.

The paper said the Iraqi resistance stripped Bush and the conservatives of their masks.

"Iraqis didn't have any weapons of mass distraction, had no relationship with al-Qaida and the occupiers didn't succeed in picturing themselves as 'savors,'" it said.

It criticized the occupier's administration policy of lies, saying they could bring law and justice to Iraqis and turn Iraq into a democratic example so neighboring countries follow it.

It said five years after the occupation, Iraqis don't have potable water or electricity, or security, safety and freedom. It said five years after the "liberation" of Iraq, there are 1.3 million dead civilians, 4 million displaced Iraqis, 1 million Iraqi widows and about 4 million orphans.

"The lack of security is the title of the five years of occupation where poverty has been embedded with killings and arrests," it said.

The Saudi-based paper called the war a "U.S.-British picnic" and said Iraq is a hell that has surrounded the invaders and closed the path of exit behind them.