More on the 50 murdered Iraqi soldiers

Allawi had some harsh words for EVERYONE today, including the Coalition:

"It was a heinous crime where a group of National Guardsmen were targeted," Allawi said. "There was great negligence on the part of some coalition forces."

What was that negligence?

Allawi did not explain how the coalition had failed in its responsibilities to the Iraqi troops...

I can understand his frustration, but why is the coalition negligent? If it is then they should own up to it. What about this:

However, in an interview with Al-Arabiya television, Defense Minister Hazem Shaalan blamed the recruits, who in their eagerness to get home decided to leave immediately after their graduation and take an unauthorized route.

"They are to blame. They graduated at 12 p.m. and could have delayed their trip," he said. Shaalan added that neither the Defense Ministry, the Kirkush commanders nor the U.S.-run forces were to blame.

"They are the ones who chose this road that led them to this ugly result," he said of the victims. "There might have been some people who gave information about them to hostile sides."

I don't know about this "rush to get home" theory, but I do agree with the following:

The U.S. command did not respond directly to Allawi's comments, but said in a statement: "This was a cold-blooded and systematic massacre by terrorists. They and no one else, must be held fully accountable for these heinous acts."

But this is the REAL meat of the story:

Allawi has told Fallujah leaders that they must surrender extremists, chief among them Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (search), or face attack. His comments Tuesday appeared aimed at preparing Iraqis for the eventuality of such an attack, which could inflame public opinion in Iraq and elsewhere in the Arab world.

And:

U.S. commanders have spoken of a new offensive to clear insurgent strongholds ahead of Iraq's elections in January.

This can't come soon enough, for me.