Iraqi PM Opens Baghdad Green Zone After 12 Years

[SocalDinar]

Iraqi PM Opens Baghdad Green Zone After 12 Years

 

 

 

October 04, 2015

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on October 4 that Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone would be open to the public for the first time in 12 years.

Many restrictions remain in place as the measure allows only limited access to the area.

Abadi presented the partial reopening of the International Zone of Baghdad as part of the reform drive he launched, which was prompted by popular discontent over government corruption and poor services.

"The opening of the Green Zone is one of the measures we promised the people and we are opening it now," Abadi was quoted as saying in a statement.

The 10-square-kilometer compound located on the west bank of the Tigris River was closed off after the 2003 U.S.-led occupation. It is now home to the country’s top political institutions and embassies.

Iraqis have frequently complained that their leaders live a sheltered existence in the safety of the Green Zone while they suffer from daily violence and poor services.

The zone has been a target for bombings and rockets over the years, despite the concrete walls surrounding it.

 

http://www.rferl.org/content/iraq-green-zone-open-abadi/27287499.html

 

Iraq Prime Minister Opens Baghdad Green Zone to Traffic

World | Agence France-Presse | Updated: October 04, 2015 23:57 IST

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Baghdad:  Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday announced that Baghdad's "Green Zone" was open to the public for the first time in 12 years, albeit with many remaining restrictions.

The roughly 10-square-kilometre, heavily fortified area in the heart of Baghdad is home to the country's top political institutions and embassies.

"The prime minister opened the Green Zone to public passage and people in their vehicles came in droves," a statement from Abadi's office said.

"The opening of the Green Zone is one of the measures we promised the people and we are opening it now," Abadi was quoted as saying in the statement.

The measure offers limited access to the vast area, with most streets still requiring a special badge, but it is likely to be popular nonetheless and ease traffic in the city.

The International Zone of Baghdad was already the seat of government power under former president Saddam Hussein and became known as the Green Zone after the 2003 US invasion.

The area, nestled in a bend of the Tigris, was then sealed off to the public and became the headquarters of Iraq's new rulers.

Its foreign residents still sometimes refer to what lies outside as the "Red Zone".

The Green Zone is home to the offices of the president, the prime minister, to parliament, the country's top courts, as well as the US embassy, which is the world's largest.

http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iraq-prime-minister-opens-baghdad-green-zone-to-traffic-1226110

 

October 4, 2015, 3:31 PM

Iraqi PM opens Green Zone to public for first time

Iraqi security forces close a bridge leading to the heavily guarded Green Zone during a demonstration against corruption in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.

AP Photo/Karim Kadim

 

 

BAGHDAD - Iraq's Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi declared the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad open to all of his citizens for the first time in 12 years Sunday amid efforts to cut spending and appease citizens who have been protesting for basic public services.

Al-Abadi referred to the opening of the Green Zone as part of the "measures promised to our citizens and this opening that we are witnessing points to continued plans to reform - actions which we will not back down from," a statement from his office said, adding that al-Abadi was the first to pass through the newly-opened Green Zone, or the International Zone as it is officially known.

The four square mile compound, on the west bank of the Tigris River, was declared off-limits to the public in the wake of the 2003 U.S.-led occupation. The complex, with its high concrete walls lined with barbed wire, and heavily guarded checkpoints, is home to several palaces once belonging to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and was turned into the administrative headquarters for the U.S.-led coalition following the 2003 invasion. Today, it contains a number of residential apartment buildings and homes, including those of many senior Iraqi government officials. A number of foreign embassies are also there, including the U.S. embassy, which, at 104 acres, is the largest and most expensive embassy in the world.

The zone has continued to be a target for bombings and rockets over the years, despite the concrete walls that surround it.

A senior Green Zone security official told The Associated Press that much of the restrictions on movement inside the Green Zone will still remain in place, particularly on streets leading to high-level government buildings and embassies, including the U.S. embassy. The official spoke anonymously because he is not authorized to brief the media.

The decision to open a passage in and out of the Green Zone comes as calls for reform continue across Baghdad to end government corruption and reckless spending. Last month, in a rare show of unity, the Iraqi government unanimously backed a program proposed by al-Abadi to eliminate senior government posts and slash spending.http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iraq-prime-minister-haidar-al-abadi-opens-green-zone-public-first-time/

Edited October 4, 2015 by SocalDinar

[Lenape]

Now that's a good thing.... Encouragement to the People.. Thank you 

[copper13]

This is Big News!    Even Fox News is scrolling this report right now!!!

[blueskyline]

Thank You So Cal...

[Laid Back]

BIG news.!!!

This means "SECURITY"

[SnowGlobe7]

HUGE PEEPS THIS IS HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGE

[chris2028]

BUMP BUMP BUMP IT UP!! 

[Wiljor]

Another piece of the puzzle gang!!!! Lets keep this ride moving forward.

Thanks a bunch Socal;-)

[yota691]

This should allow those New Pass Ports some use....@ Baghdad International Airport.....Thanks SD been waiting on this Article...Great + article..... 

Open green area in front of movement of citizens

 

 

       

5/10/2015 0:00 

BAGHDAD Alaa al-Tai    
confirmation of fulfilling the government's commitments in the implementation of plans of reform, Dr. Haider Abadi, Prime Minister officially opened on Sunday evening, the green area in front of movement of citizens, after the completion of arrangements and plans for the protection of citizens and government institutions from any target.   
An official source in the Prime Minister's Office said Security forces completed the arrangements and plans for the protection of citizens and government departments of the terrorist also realize. 
The source added, in an interview for the "morning", that "the step confirms the government's commitment to implementing the reforms issued by the Haidaralebadi Prime Minister early last September, including issuing orders to all the leaders of operations and security leaders in Baghdad and the provinces to open the main streets closed by the figures and influential parties, and taking into account the sub-plans for the protection of citizens and auditors to state departments of targeting terrorism. " He explained that "it was open the link road between the Alawi area in central Baghdad and leading to the Jadiriyah and suspension bridge in one direction and in principle from nine in the morning until midnight every day in front of the general public and subjecting the vehicles to tight security by Sitarat been deployed on the road." The Green Zone houses government headquarters and the homes of senior officials and the headquarters for a number of embassies of Arab and foreign countries.

[KDuesing]

Remember Yesterday when we read that Maliki had ordered the protesters to be kidnaped and beaten? Here comes the payback, I honestly think he did this on purpose.

 

http://dinarvets.com/forums/index.php?/topic/209102-sources-of-change-riot-police-attacked-the-protesters-with-beatings-and-imprisonment-of-karbala-on-the-orders-of-al-maliki/

Edited October 5, 2015 by KDuesing

[sandfly]

THANKS

[Calijim1]

They should expand the green zone to include more of the city and make room for more of the people.