Opinion | Editorials
For whom the death tolls
While Iraq may not be the headline news it once was, that could easily change.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:05 March 26, 2008
Just after the Iraq invasion in 2003 the American military were at pains to point out that they did not do body counts of civilian deaths. It was just one of many acts of arrogance that distanced the occupiers from those they were legally meant to protect.
There is, though, a count of American military deaths and that has reached a grim total of 4,000. The figure was announced just as Iraq was being sidelined in America due to coverage of the sub-prime crisis and the nomination process.
Figures for civilian deaths are much higher and range from 60,000 to more than a million. Whatever figure is closer to reality there is no denying the catastrophe for civilians that was unleashed by the invasion. While Iraq may not be the headline news it once was, that could easily change.
The White House will shortly announce that it is suspending planned troop withdrawals from Iraq and the manner in which the Democrats respond to this will have an impact on the election.
It is not difficult to forecast with disturbing certainty that there will be more violent deaths between now and November, military and civilian.
As election day looms larger Iraq will present both Republicans and Democrats with some tough choices.
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