Iraq says attacks were 'God's punishment'
An Iraqi newspaper has marked the September 11 anniversary by publishing pictures of the attack with the headline "God's punishment".
The state-owned weekly Al-Iktisadi printed the headline in bold red lettering.
Meanwhile the daily Al-Jumhuriya said its readers should enjoy American suffering because America had enjoyed Iraqi pain.
In a front-page editorial it said the lesson the United States should have drawn from September 11 was that its policies inspired hatred.
"America used the (September 11) events to increase its hostile policy against nations under the pretext of anti-terrorism," Al-Jumhuriya added.
Ordinary Iraqis fear their cities will be targeted by American bombs, as they were during the 1991 Gulf War that forced Saddam to reverse his 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
"If they enjoy seeing us suffer under sanctions for 12 years, we should enjoy seeing them suffer," said Sameera Kadhim, a 53-year-old housewife. "My children never stopped asking me at night, `When is America going to bomb us?'"
"Events like September 11 are sad but it is an opportunity for the American people to feel what bombing could do to nations," Ali Ahmed, a 47-year-old who owns a Baghdad stationary shop.
"America has proven it has no respect for nations by wanting to change the government in Iraq. How would an American feel toward somebody who wants to change his government?"
