Good News
A series of good news have been heard about Iraq recently. First is that Paris Club is going to write off 80% of the Iraqi debts. Second is the declaration of the Iraqi election day, that’s on 30th January 2005 (though a group of political parties suggested to postpone it). Third is Sharm Al-Sheikh conference.
Three news which the majority of Iraqis did not pay much attention. Iraqi individuals are focusing on their everyday worries. Nothing positive and tangible on the ground is taking place. Threats, of different kinds, are spreading. People feel that their enemy is invisible. Menacing slogans are written on the walls. Death threats are made against students if they attend school or college. Threats are made against teachers, doctors, officials …etc. Some take it seriously; others consider it as a joke. A coalition consists of Saddamians, fundamentalists, baathists, Arab insurgents backed by forces work from abroad, considers the election as a challenge between them and the government.
The US administration worked hard for the past year to write off the Iraqi debts. President Bush appointed Mr. James Baker as a special envoy to the president to persuade other countries to relief Iraqi debts. Non of the Arab or Islamic countries did so. Though Iraqis are unable to notice such effort.
Iraqis are on the horn of a dilemma. Prolonged exposure to single sided media, education, culture which says USA is the enemy number one of the Arab and Islam world, makes it inconceivable for them that the Americans are in Iraq to help. On the other hand people don’t want another dictator.
In Sharm Al-Sheikh conference, representatives of Iraqi neighboring countries promised to be cooperative with the interim government. Which, I think, they won’t fulfill since Iraq represents, for them, the battlefield to hinder the American project to set out democracy in the region.
Three news which the majority of Iraqis did not pay much attention. Iraqi individuals are focusing on their everyday worries. Nothing positive and tangible on the ground is taking place. Threats, of different kinds, are spreading. People feel that their enemy is invisible. Menacing slogans are written on the walls. Death threats are made against students if they attend school or college. Threats are made against teachers, doctors, officials …etc. Some take it seriously; others consider it as a joke. A coalition consists of Saddamians, fundamentalists, baathists, Arab insurgents backed by forces work from abroad, considers the election as a challenge between them and the government.
The US administration worked hard for the past year to write off the Iraqi debts. President Bush appointed Mr. James Baker as a special envoy to the president to persuade other countries to relief Iraqi debts. Non of the Arab or Islamic countries did so. Though Iraqis are unable to notice such effort.
Iraqis are on the horn of a dilemma. Prolonged exposure to single sided media, education, culture which says USA is the enemy number one of the Arab and Islam world, makes it inconceivable for them that the Americans are in Iraq to help. On the other hand people don’t want another dictator.
In Sharm Al-Sheikh conference, representatives of Iraqi neighboring countries promised to be cooperative with the interim government. Which, I think, they won’t fulfill since Iraq represents, for them, the battlefield to hinder the American project to set out democracy in the region.
posted by Ibn_Alrafidain at 9:56 PM
10 Comments:
hi
of course i am biased. i want to believe that you believe what you are writing. and i do. from my perspective what you say is obvious, but then i know that the usa harbours no ill-will towards you. if the usa were after oil, for example, they could have organised a coup in nigeria at a total cost of a few million bucks. no dead soldiers. no united nations, etc. anyway, i hope it works out for you guys this time round because otherwise it will become very unpleasant. mostly for irqis. and nobody want that to happen.
have a happy chistmas,
guy
It must be so difficult to live day by day, with your country being so unstable. I can't begin to imagine the frustration you must feel. Try to hang on to hope, and don't give up. There are a lot of people here in the United States that care very much about your future.
Son of Two Rivers,
What do you think the chances are of the election coming off succesfully, given the situation that you describe? Do people have any belief in this process at all? Does it seem like it will be dangerous for people to go vote?
Beth
"There have been invisible terrorists present before/during and after almost all conflicts throughout history.
Their purpose is to strike fear and terror in people's hearts. To paralyze and herd people into inaction and submission.
Only steadfast resolve and courage will force them into the light to be destroyed. To be destroyed like the vampires that they are".
Papa Ray
Nov. 28 2004
________________________________________________
Ibn, Greetings to you, wishing you and yours good health and safety.
Recently I was informed of the writings of someone who I hope to continue to read. He has a way of writing that is easy for me to understand. I agree with a lot of his conclusions and statements. But not all.
I thought that when you have time, you might read a few of his essays. Here is a list of some of them. He also has wrote books.
http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson-archive.asp
Again, my best wishes to you and yours.
This is my post
West Texas
USA
Brian,
Not carping. Just asking for a point of view from an Iraqi and what he's heard on the ground over there.
And, there is an important distinction between low voter turnout here and low voter turnout in a country which has not had a democratic election before. Here, we have 200 years of relatively successful democratic self-government that gives people faith in the system and that even if their guy didn't get elected, things will work because the system is designed well and has good checks and balances, etc. In fact, low voter turnout in the US may even be a mark of things going pretty well- if people aren't concerned about where the country is going, they don't feel compelled to vote.
In a country which has not had a democratic election before, it is crucial, it seems to me, that people are invested in the system. I'm not suggesting that there must be 100 percent voter turnout to be successful-- look at Ukraine, where the turnout was extremely high but also apparently bogus-- but I do wonder how well a new government can function if there is very little voter investment in, participation in, or trust of the system by which the government officials are installed.
The media over here don't give me any sense of how most, or even a good section of, Iraqis feel about the upcoming elections, which is why I am asking Son of Two Rivers about it. And I hardly think it is hypocritical to ask.
Beth
Brian,
Not carping, just asking for the opinion of someone on the ground over there.
I do think we should be careful to make a distinction between what low voter turnout might mean, practically speaking, in the US vs. in a country that has never had a democratic election before. Here, low voter turnout is probably a sign that most people feel that things are working pretty well- there's no need to vote if things are pretty much going OK. And given 200 years of experience, Americans can usually trust that things are going to be OK even if their guy didn't win, thanks to the flexibility and strength of the system to protect the interests of the people.
In a place that hasn't had a vote or true democratic system before, low voter turnout might mean, practically speaking, either that people are afraid to vote because of possible retaliation, or don't believe it matters if they vote- and that would not bode well for the government that will be elected, if for no other reason than it would mean a low level of investment (so to speak) in the democratic process. That's an important consideration. Not to say that the government couldn't work but it will definitely have more proving of itself to do- not to me, but to the Iraqi people.
All of which is why I am asking son of two rivers his impressions of what people are thinking. I hardly think it's hypocritical to try to learn what Iraqis are thinking about the upcoming elections.
Beth
Arrrgh. Sorry about the double post. [smacks forehead] Consider me technologically challenged.
Beth
Hello!
Just found you through Iraq the Model. I hadn't even heard that the Arab nations refuse to write off any debt. Criminy - they're rolling in money, too aren't they? Sorry about that - it's terrible I think.
I will be visiting you often and I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes in your prior post. That was very thoughtful. I smoked a turkey on my Weber grill - but the winds were gusting to 40 mph so there isn't much of a smoky flavor to it. It did get cooked though and it was good. (when I lit the coals - the flames went soaring and almost lit my cornstalks on fire...I screamed and my neighbors came running to help!!)
I am supporting you and your country in your struggle toward freedom. Stay strong and be sure to participate in the process - it is so important. I am proud of the courage displayed by Iraqis in everyday life coping with the threats that you must cope with.
Take good care.
Son of Two Rivers,
Thank you most sincerely for your blog. I am a peace-loving man. I wanted so badly to know the will of the Iraqi people before the war. I agonized and prayed to know your thoughts and hopes and dreams to make my decision whether to support the war or to oppose it. I came to the conclusion in my heart that no human would chose the attrocities of Hussein for their governance. The American people want the Iraqi people to have self-governance so they no longer have to live under the horror of tyranny and the insanity of a genocidal dictator. We are still only left to hope that the Iraqi people want the same for themselves. I believe we are at the stage in this dangerous endeavor where the Iraqi people will determine the ultimate outcome. If the Iraqis want self-governance, you must take the steps to ensure it happens. Americans cannot make the Iraqi people want their freedom or want to vote. Voices like yours make my hope for Iraq grow stronger. God be with you and the great people of the Iraqi nation. May you find peace, freedom, and a competant government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
Sincerely,
Tom Penn
Beth,
It is two months from now to the day of election. No one can give clear or decisive opinion, since the situation open to either security deterioration or improvement. Generally speaking, people are very enthused by this brand new experience. Though, most of the people think that it is an election to choose a president.
Let’s wait and see what will happen.
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