Iraq declares right to impose martial law
Baghdad, Iraq, Jul. 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi Wednesday signed into law a measure that empowers him to declare martial law to combat terrorism.
"As we announce the law, we are fully aware that it restricts some public freedoms," Justice Minister Malek al-Hassan said a joint press conference in Baghdad with Human Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amin.
The law gives the government the power to restrict the movement of Iraqis and foreigners in and out of Iraq, set up roadblocks and checkpoints, search houses, detain suspects, impose restrictions on the movement of funds and monitor communications and mail.
Even before the law was formally announced, postings appeared on Islamist Web sites Tuesday denouncing Allawi as a puppet of the occupation forces.
Skeptics say the Iraqi security forces do not have the numbers, weapons or training to enforce emergency law and will need to lean heavily on coalition forces. In response, Allawi told the New York Times the government was "beefing up these resources" and "Iraqis should shoulder the responsibility, should be the people who enforce law and order in Iraq and against the terrorists."
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-b...r.htm
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