BlackFive

After news report after news report about how there was little celebration about the establishment of a sovereign Iraq, here's a story that may have been overlooked:

Iraqis Rejoice on Talk Radio Airwaves
By TAREK EL-TABLAWY, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - She may not be eyeing the position, but Um Yassin's heartfelt congratulations to the new Iraqi government, would certainly put her in the running if another spokesperson is needed.

"I send my congratulations to all Iraqis and every Iraqi home," Um Yassin gushed, her voice choked with emotion, while calling in to Iraq's first, independent talk radio station, Radio Dijla. "I want to tell Dr. Allawi to be bold, to be strong. We need him to build up the army because we need them at a time like this."

Her message was echoed by dozens of people on the day interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi was given a letter that transferred sovereignty of the country back to its citizens after about 14 months of coalition administration. But in the midst of adulation for the new government, callers urged that all must be vigilant for insurgents seeking to sow more chaos in a country plagued by violence since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled.

"I send all the Iraqi people my blessings," said Ali, a caller from Baghdad. "But I warn these terrorists, all the Iraqis will rise up and strike them with steel."

With that threat, the station switched to an upbeat song by a Lebanese singer.

"People have been calling in all day, sending their greetings to the new government," said Ahmed al-Rikabi, who founded Radio Dijla about two months after working for years with broadcasters in Europe. "There is a feeling of joy among the listeners. But they are also expressing hope that the day will pass with no problems and no explosions."

"But we've also had calls from people pleading with the terrorists to let Iraqis live this day in peace."...

The fact that there's an independent talk radio host in Iraq is, in itself, amazing - let alone callers expressing wishes for peace.