The looting in Baghdad looks like it is finally dying down. The US forces there are now making genuine efforts in quelling the chaotic looting and killing that has ravaged the city since their entry. They have promised to send police officers, have made efforts to re-recruit local civil service, and are paying local civilians in various areas to work with an appointed US soldier. Although there will be a lot of frustration and bad memories about these first few days, it is likely that the majority of the Iraqis in the urban centers will show some degree of gratitude for increased security provided.
Regretablly, even if the US had done nothing, the looting would probably have died down in a few days anyways. Everything of much value that could be stolen is already gone. 39 of the 40 hospitals in Baghdad have been robbed of equipment with uses their robbers could have only guessed at, double-decker buses have been commandeered, embassies and government buildings stripped of even their chairs, and the National Library emptied by avid looting bibliophiles.
A professor of Political Science at Baghdad University, Dr. Ramiz said, “I believe the United States has committed an act of irresponsibility with few parallels in history, with the looting of the National Museum, the National Library and so many of the ministries. People are saying that the U.S. wanted this ? that it allowed all this to happen because it wanted the symbolism of ordinary Iraqis attacking every last token of Saddam Hussein’s power.” While his anger is understandable, we have to realize that the US didn’t want rampant and indiscriminate looting, and there are many signs they did not expect it, train for it, or otherwise sufficiently plan for it. Also, no one can deny that they are operating in small numbers in large population centers.
However, these reasons cannot be used to excuse the horrible incompetence displayed by the coalition.
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