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Massive protest against U.S. presence in Iraq

AP

Thousands of Shias on Monday marched to the Kadhamiya mosque, one of the holiest Shia shrines in Iraq, to protest American occupation of Iraq and reject what they fear would be a U.S.-installed puppet government.

BAGHDAD May 19. Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of a Baghdad suburb today to demand an Iraqi Government and the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

The demonstration by mainly Shia Muslims underscored rising discontent with Iraq's Western administration and dissatisfaction with the speed at which power was being handed back to Iraqis since last month's toppling of Saddam Hussein.

"No, no, no USA," read a placard carried by the demonstrators in the Qadhimiyeh district. Protesters called for unity among Muslims and for an Iraqi government.

"We will not sell this country," they chanted. "We want honest men for Iraq, not thieves," another placard said.

Iraq's Shia majority faced persecution under Saddam's Sunni-dominated administration. While many are relieved that Saddam has gone, they are horrified by the looting, lawlessness and the breakdown of essential services that followed the war.

The U.S. administrator, Paul Bremer, has insisted that he was pushing ahead with the creation of an Iraqi interim authority, but Iraqi groups have accused Washington of backing away from its promises to hand real power to Iraqis. Mr. Bremer said during a visit to Mosul on Sunday that he would hold more talks with Iraqi political leaders later this month on the establishment of the authority.

Reuters

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