We were invited to attend a press conference.
Our Prime Minister, Nouri al Maliki has something to say regarding the latest explosions, Tuesday, 8 December, where more than a hundred people were killed and more than 400 were injured. And when I say injured, that includes people losing limbs; and many, many others left with injuries that are life threatening.
Off I went – Maybe he would say something that would make the pain less. Something – Maybe a new security plan – Maybe a new reconciliation plan – Anything to give hope to a people who have gotten to the end of their patience with promises that keep collapsing.
But when we got there, and after two hours of waiting, all we got was, "It was not a breakdown in security – Just a security breach, and all countries all over the world have security breaches."
I hope that Yasmine, my sister in law, who was killed in the explosion at the court house eight days ago rests in peace knowing that she was not killed because of a security breakdown in her beloved Iraq- but only a breach that may occur anywhere in the world. I hope her four children appreciate that, too.
Dear Sahar: Please know I am deeply saddened by the death of your beloved sister-in-law. Thank you for sharing this painful personal experience in your blog. It is a dreadful, yet necessary, reminder that these bombings are not just about the numbers of people killed but the profound impact they have on the fabric of Iraqi society, in families like yours. I hope both pols and readers alike will take note. To me, this blog, once again, brings the humanity back to the war, and for that I thank you.
Posted by: Nancy Youssef | December 20, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Deepest sympathy to you and your family, and especially the children who lost their mother.
Posted by: Susan | December 18, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Dear PM al Maliki:
You do not have a security breach. You have a security abyss. And too many people--dead or mangled--have fallen into it.
My condolences to you and your family, Sahar, and to all who have suffered losses.
Posted by: Laura | December 16, 2009 at 11:51 AM