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Elections in Iraq - Outing the Bad Guys02/01/2005 Mabrouk! For their successful elections, the Iraqi people deserve the congratulations and best wishes of everyone who hopes for a better future in the Middle East. For all their flaws, there is no doubt that the elections were a landmark event for Iraqis. Iraq hasn't had anything resembling a democratic election since 1954. Iraq probably hasn't had elections that were this democratic since Hammurabi was a pup. The elections were a success because Iraqis braved incredible hardships and threats to make them a success. The elections, whatever their outcome, are a great moral victory for Iraqis, and they have every reason to be proud.
The Iraqis made the elections a success by conscious effort. They made them a double success by promoting the ideas that democracy, toleration and Islam must go hand in hand. The most promising aspect of the elections perhaps, the one that can have the greatest long term effect on the entire Middle East, is the growing conviction among Muslims that not only is democracy not opposed to Islam, but democracy and tolerance are a religious duty. Iraqis can show the West that liberal society has nothing to fear from Islam, and they can show Muslims that Iraqi Islam is better than the doctrines of Said Qutb and Osama Bin Laden. Here is a quote:
Some of our readers may be surprised to know that the above was written by an Iraqi Shi'ite, in a Beirut Daily Star Op-Ed entitled Iraqis Know that Democracy is a Muslim's Duty.
A friend in Syria wrote to me:
Not everyone is as effusive in their gratitude, but there is no doubt that the elections in Iraq have had a profound effect on political and social culture throughout the Middle East. One report wrote that Arabs were mesmerized by the elections. That is probably not too far from the truth, though the true worth of the elections will not be known for some time. If the elections had not been held, it would have been a great defeat for the USA. However, the elections themselves are not a great victory for the USA. It only a favorable milestone on a long road, a small but hopefully significant triumph. The minor triumph will be translated into something more if a lasting and stable democracy is established in Iraq. It will be a triumph of historic proportions if, as Bush administration officials dream, the elections in Iraq improbably catalyze a process of democratization throughout the Middle East. The elections will inevitably bring the Iraqi Shi'a Muslim majority to power. Sunni Muslims, as shown by editorials in the Beirut Daily Star and the Saudi Arab News , praised the elections, but were justifiably anxious to ensure that the Shi'a would not treat their Sunni brothers in the same shabby way that the Sunnis treat them when they are in power. For the Saudi Arabian monarchy, which has a large and justifiably unhappy Shi'ite minority and a restive Sunni majority eager for reform, a state that is both democratic and Shi'a on their borders is not necessarily the top item on their wish list. The successful elections do not guarantee that Iraq will not crumble into anarchy or degenerate into dictatorship. There are depressing precedents. Sun Yat Sen established a Chinese Republic. It was a landmark in Chinese history, a promising beginning, but it was soon wiped out by other events. Elections, or even the constitution that will be created by the elected government, will not guarantee democracy. Saddam Hussein had very successful elections. According to some reports, in 2002 he was re-elected by a majority of 104%. Iraq had a fairly good constitution, but as in many states, the constitution was ignored. These were probably the first elections in which the results were not guaranteed in advance to be favorable to the powers-that-be. The United States certainly did not wish for a majority for Islamic (and perhaps Islamist) Shiite parties, though that is a likely outcome of the election. The party of the present Prime Minister Allawi will probably not get a majority. All this was known beforehand, but the elections were held anyway. Not many governments in the Middle East would hold elections in which it was almost certain they would lose. . Hopefully, the will of the people will be respected. However, a much more serious and difficult test of democracy will occur much later. We won't be certain about Iraqi democracy until it does. The elections and constitutional assembly will probably be dominated by one coalition, and perhaps by one party. This will be the "founding party" of the new Iraq. Sooner or later it will be time for whatever party has held the reins of government for many years to relinquish it. Historically, in Iraq, the accepted transition procedures between governments have been to shoot the former leader on television, or drag him through the streets at the back of an automobile. Otherwise, rulers do not give up power. This is true in the perception of some of the people as well as the leaders. It is not surprising that Saddam Hussein still has a following, because according to the logic of his followers, if he is not dead, he must still be the legitimate ruler. The crucial test will be whether Iraq can survive an orderly change of government without US troops to keep order. That hypothetical event is probably a long time in the future. The success of the Iraqi elections is confusing for critics of the United States involvement in Iraq. Perhaps this is because some of them were confused about the issues. The Iraq occupation is a fiasco overall. The United States has without a doubt made many errors. Some were due to negligence, others to cruelty or greed. Using the nonexistent WMD as the excuse to invade Iraq was the first of many blunders. The latest one is that, in a poor country, $9 billion were apparently lost somehow, and it is doubtful if anyone will be made to account for them. Many Iraqi and US lives were lost needlessly. Torture incidents, ignorance and arrogance marred the "liberation" of Iraq. US intelligence in Iraq is probably hopeless. The most frustrating aspect of the fiasco is that the US administration seems clueless about the problems and goes on making the same errors and trying to whitewash reality and reinvent facts. The elections don't change the reality of the insurgeny. At least 35 people were killed by insurgents on election day, and US and Iraq forces were powerless to stop the killings. The future promises more of the same. We need to point out the problems and dangers of current US policies over and over until someone up there starts listening, However, we must never forget that the opponents of the United States and the Iraqi government, the "resistance" as Al-Jazeera and some others like to call them, are not noble warriors fighting oppressors. The bombs that kill worshippers in mosques and teachers and people on their way to vote are not the work of resistance against occupation. They are the work of resistance against freedom and decency. The leaders of this "resistance" are villains who want to reimpose a dictatorship on Iraq, and rule for their own personal profit and aggrandizement. Their followers and apologists are fools or knaves. The suicide bombers are at best poor souls duped into insane criminal acts. They are not noble and altruistic souls sacrificing their lives for humanity, as a fatuous British academic, Terry Eagleton, and his deluded followers claim. No, Professor Eagleton, the suicide bombers are not dying to attain justice for others. They are dying to steal life, liberty and hope from the Iraqi people. There may be no real Good Guys in Iraq, but above all, the elections have shown every honest and decent person who are the Bad Guys in Iraq.
Ami Isseroff
Original text copyright by the author and MidEastWeb for Coexistence, RA. Posted at MidEastWeb Middle East Web Log at http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000329.htm where your intelligent and constructive comments are welcome. Distributed by MEW Newslist. Subscribe by e-mail to mew-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please forward by email with this notice and link to and cite this article. Other uses by permission. |
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Replies: 30 comments We are at the most significant moment in the definition of the future of Iraq and as usual we Iraqis are standing still and watching without lifting a finger to help shape our future once and for all. As I see the figures for the voting (and prior registration) for out of Iraq nationals, I am yet again amazed by the apathy of this once proud nation. For most Iraqis, if not all, this is the first time we have been given the opportunity to practice the most basic of rights, that of voting for our democratic future. No matter what the possible outcome will be, we are all obliged to vote. It is very easy to complain about this party or the other, about the presence of the foreign armies or foreign troublemakers, our past and our background. We are where we are now and the only step forward is to start to normalise the situation, this can only be done by looking forward and not looking at the past. What has happened and what is happening is not because of Saddam, the Americans, the Zarqawi’s or the Sunis and Shias, it is the fault of every single Iraqi. Enough of sitting in our comfortable chairs while our Country and heritage are destroyed. It is only us Iraqis that can move the country forward and this is through the first elections that can finally start to make a change. Posted by Mohammed Adib @ 02/02/2005 09:55 PM CST It is true that the resistence doesn't want a democracy but will the US accept a democracy that is friendly to Iran or not to their liking? The elections will only prove to be a democracy if the Iraqis follow with what they started. The resistence does kill innocent civilians like the Palestinians resistence has but what is freedom. By your assertion you are saying that freedom is democracy. If one feels that an election is a ruse designed to make the US occupation sound legitimate then to those who fight against an election they might see it as gaining a certain level of freedom from the US. I can not say to Iraqis democracy is freedom and if you don't like democracy then you are oppose to freedom. Just as the US came in to enforce a democracy then to call the Iraqi resistence trying to create or bring back a dictatorship is wrong is in many ways hypocrisy. If an Iraqi believes that freedom is in a democracy I can not deny him his opinion but if another Iraqi believes freedom is in a dictatorship I can not deny his opinion as well. Posted by Butros Dahu @ 02/05/2005 08:41 PM CST
To oppose democracy is to fundamentally to oppose freedom, and what the "resisters" are doing is opposing freedom. Democracy is founded on the concept that each and everyone of us has the right to our own opinions, but not the right to enforce those opinions upon others except where it is clearly the majority will. Democracy expects that we operate in accordance with the law, and that minority interests are respected. Posted by Rod Davies @ 02/07/2005 10:25 AM CST If a democratic iraqui government decides in the future to nationalize oil drilling, will it be the end of democracy in Iraq as has happened so many times in so many places?. For USA, "democracy" is the word the President should say to domestic public opinion to be authorized to do what "must be done". Posted by Aleph @ 02/08/2005 06:16 PM CST
To Rod Davies: Posted by Butros Dahu @ 02/08/2005 07:19 PM CST I loved your article. I agree with you that the election brought to light who the real bad guys are. It is not the US, it is not the Iraqis, it is not Islam, it is not the different sects in Iraq, but it is individuals who oppose anything that interferes with their insane agenda. My hope is this- that the people of Iraq will continue to keep their hopes alive for a better society and it will breathe FREEDOM and not FEAR. Thanks, Kim Posted by Kim @ 02/11/2005 10:20 PM CST
I'm really surprised that this article is on this site of all places. Posted by Erez @ 02/13/2005 11:21 PM CST It is certainly true that mistakes have been made by the USA and its allies in Iraq. Yet, the mistakes aren't enough to overshadow the progress that has been made. If anything, at least the effort and commitment is there. I'm constantly trying to reason why people criticize the actions of the USA, when they -- themselves -- were unable or unwilling to change their own future? When will more Arabs forego the mistakes they are making in their short-sightedness of the future and their persistence to accomodate revenge and incompetence in their attitudes and actions? Freedom is what moves people forward! Some Arab country -- at some time in the Middle East region -- will have to step forward and take the lead in human rights, tolerance, and belief in the dialogue of democratic ways. Why not Iraq? Posted by Mike Biever @ 02/14/2005 08:32 PM CST
Mike, Posted by Erez @ 02/14/2005 10:12 PM CST These insurgents (at least the ones that have talked) have specifically stated that they are against democracy, not just democracy on the US's terms. Besides, what the heck does this have to do with anything when their methods involve intentionally targeting iraqi civilians? Posted by razorace @ 02/15/2005 07:04 PM CST In addition, the US has every right to dictate the framework (as long as it's fair to the Iraqis) for their new government since the US is footing the bill in terms of money and manpower. If other nations want a say, they need to contribute to the cause instead of armchair quarterbacking the whole deal. Posted by razorace @ 02/15/2005 09:00 PM CST
The US has no right to dictate the framework of democracy in Iraq. That's precisely the problem. The US WANTS to dictate it and that is not best for Iraqis. Rather then listening to Iraqis and beginning a dialogue, the US is telling them what they want. Posted by Erez @ 02/15/2005 09:13 PM CST I agree with Erez this site was better years back though. At least I remember it to be better. Mr. Issarof is one of the best writer I've read from but like Erez said this site is not intended to criticize those who oppose certain Israeli or American actions. Instead it has turned into a bashfest ogf pro-Palestinian or pro-Arab articles. Your a very good writer Mr. Issarof. you don't need to critizize other people's opinions. Posted by Butros Dahu @ 02/15/2005 11:13 PM CST Iraq is one of the world's least likely sites for a transition to democracy. Virtually all of the classic preconditions for liberal government are lacking. And yet, with its decades-long despotism shattered, Iraq is now better positioned than any of its Arab neighbors to become a democracy in the next few years. That achievement, however tentative and imperfect, would ignite mounting aspirations for democratization from Iran to Morocco. Posted by Del @ 02/16/2005 09:24 AM CST The government of Iraq should be what the social forces in existence there compel it to be; that is majority rule of the people not subjugated by a dictator or terrorists. That is true only in the sense in which its leaders favor, instead of discouraging, the attempt to exercise, among all forms of government practicable in the existing conditions of Iraq's society, a rational choice. People should live according to the dictates of their conscience, and allow all others the same right. That is what democracy is all about. In the past several decades, the majority of Iraq's citizens have been ruled by a bloody-minded minority with extremely fanatical beliefs. This condition has threatened the peace of other nations to the point that they felt they had to stop it. Let us remember that democracy is the work of men, and owes its origin and its whole existence to human will. Men did not wake on a summer morning and find democracy sprung up. In every stage of democracy’s existence, they are made what they are by human voluntary agency. As with all things made by men, democracies may be poorly or well made. Most people feel that as soon as coalition forces retreat from Iraq anarchy in its extreme will prevail, and the weak will be victimized by the strong again. Lets see what the people of Iraq will do then to prove their critics wrong, and fight for its liberty and freedom. Posted by Del @ 02/16/2005 11:43 AM CST Operation Iraqi Freedom reveals President George W. Bush's "misunderestimed" genius. By striking at the stronghold of Arabic despotism epitomized by Saddam Hussein (or as I like to call him, So-Damn-Insane), George Bush has thrown open the window of the Batthist prison in which good Muslim and Arabic people have suffocated so long. They are now breathing the fresh air of freedom, realizing for themselves that it does exist. The arguments by the enemies of freedom against this noble enterprise of President Bush 43 are empty, shrill, and womanly not manly. Yes, indeed, there was WMD in Iraq and we found it: the WMD was non-other than So-Damn-Insane himself. And yes, indeed, it was about oil: it was to remove the oil from the hands of So-Damn-Insane, the money from the sale of which that monster was using to buy off the UN, to eventually complete his nuclear bomb program. Anyone who can not see this should not play chess. Finally, Operation Iraqi Freedom has also brightly exposed the latest variation of the ongoing struggle of the three, historically competing "answers to mankind’s problems," namely, democracy, fascism, and sodeletedm. Although seemingly heading in opposite directions, the latter two political ideologies arrive at the same tyrannical destination (just as from Ecuador one can reach Sumatra regardless of traveling west or east along the equator). Both of these extreme ideologies hate Democracy and are at continual war with it. That is why we are currently witnessing distressing, unholy alliances between one-world-government sodeletedts and one-Islamic-world terrorists. For example, we see the left-leaning BBC and the right-leaning Al-Jazeera tacitly conspiring to disparage the coalition that liberated Iraq, while granting respect to the al-Qaeda and Batthist terrorist who have murdered thousands of innocent Iraqis. I believe that a hundred years from now, the bold action of President George W. Bush to democratize Iraq will be hailed as a transformational event in the history of human freedom. By that time, the "Cradle of Civilization” will become recognized as a “Citadel of Liberty,” too. Posted by Brian @ 02/19/2005 07:42 PM CST
Woah. Brian, I can't tell if you are being sarcastic because the language you are using seems very much at odds with the goal of this website - the goal of course being open mindedness and dialogue. Your use of the labels 'left', 'right', 'sodeletedt' and others do not belong here in my opinion. For example, who is the real 'fascist'? I'd say it was the guy that invaded a nation and kills at least 16,036 Iraqi civilians (iraqbodycount.org) against the will of the majority of the world's population, and with wavering support for the war in his own country. Of course Saddam Hussein has no business getting off the hook as one of the top 10 fascists in the mid-east. - The Baath movement was a form of Arab nationalism that was supported by many Arabs. And although not being a supporter of it myself, I must concede the fact that it wasn't just a small group of 'terrorists' or 'fascists', it is a wide-ranging, in some places very popular, movement. And that is what seeing the other side means. Posted by Erez @ 02/20/2005 07:08 AM CST I was just wondering-How can I be open-minded about individuals who choose to bomb themselves and others because that person or organization supports freedom? It is difficult to see how these supporters of nationalism can establish a healthy society on this form of government. Posted by Kim @ 02/23/2005 01:10 AM CST
Kim, you are 100% right. A nation born out of violence will likely have a violent future. Posted by Erez @ 02/24/2005 09:12 PM CST Erez, I knew you would come back with that argument, but you have to see that the real enemy is not those who are trying to establish a democracy in Iraq. The real enemy of Iraq are those who choose to put the Iraqi citizens in situations where they will be exposed to the military's attacks. Many of the these insurgents hide in homes, mosques, stores, and other places where the locals live, work and worship. Posted by Kim @ 02/25/2005 08:11 PM CST I find it odd that the moment someone fights for democracy or tries to create a democracy then their actions such occupying a nation,overthrowing a regime and forcing people to become what they want to become be excused. People should choose what freedom is for themselves rather than being what it is. What if an anarchists feels enslaved because they live under a democracy? One could suggest they could vote for anarchy but to do so they must particate in what they feel enslaved by. Although it may give them the freedom to choose anarchy if the anarchist lose in his bid for anarchy then he mustlive continually under what he veiws as slavery. He also realizes that he particated in his own slavery by participating in democracy. If another anarchist believes that democracy is enslaving him but only believes in overthrow of the government because unlike the first anarchist, he believes that by participating in democracy he his will go against his veiws and in many ways support the enslavement. In his attempt to overthrow the government, the democratic government resists and wins. Although the democratic government may believe it has won its freedom, the anarchist who has to remain under a democratic will not be free his standareds and it doesn't matter what other people think when it comes to freedom but what he feels is freedom. Posted by Butros Dahu @ 02/27/2005 08:52 AM CST Anarchy is not government. It is chaos within a society. It is where there is no rule of law and individuals choose to do whatever they want Exp.- the American West before government was established. Democracy is a form of government that allows the people to choose their representives who then establish laws and a constitution to ensure that the people who are governed by them are protected and can live in a society that has justice, safety and the opportunities to soar within that society's religious, educational, financial,scientific, and environmental arena. Posted by Kim @ 02/28/2005 03:56 AM CST
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