IRAQ: Law and disorder

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The mantra that Marine brass are repeating to tribal sheiks and elected officials throughout Anbar province is that 2008 is the ‘Year of the Rule of Law.’

The U.S. wants the Iraqis to adopt a legal system based on evidence and due process instead of one that addresses the demands of those who feel victimized for swift retaliation.

When several prisoners were released in Haditha for lack of evidence, they were met by a crowd that included relatives of the alleged victims. In the dust-up that followed, one Iraqi cop was knocked to the ground, another was so panicked he could not fire his AK-47.

With Marines keeping a careful watch, the incident was kept from getting out of control. But Maj. Kevin Jarrard, whose company patrols Haditha, says it will be difficult to get Iraqis to drop the custom of taking vengeance on suspected killers.

— Tony Perry in Haditha