8 million Iraqis cast ballots

Even though the dems, lefties, defeatists and terrorist appeasers in the US have not figured out how huge a success the Iraqi election was, it seems that the Weasals have. - Sailor


8 MILLION IRAQIS CAST BALLOTS
New York Post

February 1, 2005 -- BRUSSELS — Iraq war opponents France, Germany and Russia yesterday hailed elections in the country as a success and, in a sign of warming trans-Atlantic ties, pledged to back U.S. efforts to restore stability.

In a bigger-than-expected turnout, up to 8 million Iraqis cast ballots on Sunday, braving suicide bombs and mortar attacks by guerrillas that killed 35 people.

European Union leaders, despite concern over the low turnout among minority Sunnis, joined Washington in declaring the vote a success, three weeks before a Feb. 22 summit with President Bush that is meant to bolster European-U.S. ties.

President Jacques Chirac, who faced U.S. wrath for leading a diplomatic campaign against the war, told Bush by telephone the vote was "an important step in the political reconstruction of Iraq" and declared the turnout and organization a success.

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the election as "a step in the right direction" and told ministers at a government session to work for Iraq's future stability.

Post Wire Services