Tikrit |Reuters | 24-08-2003

The U.S. army opened the first unrestricted Internet access in Saddam Hussain's home town of Tikrit yesterday in a bid to convince sceptical Iraqis their occupation will bring tangible benefits.

"This Internet cafe we are inaugurating gives people in Tikrit for the first time total freedom of access to the Web," Major Troy Rader, in charge of the project, said.

"It is one of many reconstruction projects we are doing here to help local people," he added at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Tikrit closely guarded by troops. Local residents said Internet access prior to the toppling of Saddam was restricted to government-approved sites and was closely monitored by state security services.

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