http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/st...0050130/0609621466.htm&photoid=20050130TEH02D
With occasional smiles, Iraqis brave bombs to vote
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Some smiled, some were stoic and others hid their faces as Iraqis went to the polls on Sunday, braving anti-U.S. insurgents determined to drown the historic vote in blood.
Suicide bombs and mortar fire marked the event, the first multi-party poll in 50 years, killing at least 22 people countrywide. But still thousands dared to cast their votes.
In Falluja, the devastated Sunni city west of Baghdad that was an insurgent stronghold until a U.S. assault in November, a thin stream of people turned out, defying expectations.
"We want to be like other Iraqis, we don't want to always be in opposition," said Ahmed Jassim, smiling after voting.
In Baquba, a rebellious city northeast of Baghdad, crowds clapped and cheered at one voting station.
One of the first to vote was President Ghazi al-Yawar, a Sunni Muslim Arab with a large tribal following, who cast his ballot inside Baghdad's fortress-like Green Zone.
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Polls close in an hour. Estimated 72% Iraqi people will have voted - maybe higher when all counts are in.
I guess Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Polosi, the Byrd from West Virginia, and other Dems are in mourning by now, along with the Hollywood left.
With occasional smiles, Iraqis brave bombs to vote
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Some smiled, some were stoic and others hid their faces as Iraqis went to the polls on Sunday, braving anti-U.S. insurgents determined to drown the historic vote in blood.
Suicide bombs and mortar fire marked the event, the first multi-party poll in 50 years, killing at least 22 people countrywide. But still thousands dared to cast their votes.
In Falluja, the devastated Sunni city west of Baghdad that was an insurgent stronghold until a U.S. assault in November, a thin stream of people turned out, defying expectations.
"We want to be like other Iraqis, we don't want to always be in opposition," said Ahmed Jassim, smiling after voting.
In Baquba, a rebellious city northeast of Baghdad, crowds clapped and cheered at one voting station.
One of the first to vote was President Ghazi al-Yawar, a Sunni Muslim Arab with a large tribal following, who cast his ballot inside Baghdad's fortress-like Green Zone.
************************
Polls close in an hour. Estimated 72% Iraqi people will have voted - maybe higher when all counts are in.
I guess Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Polosi, the Byrd from West Virginia, and other Dems are in mourning by now, along with the Hollywood left.
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