Posted on 02/16/2004 6:37:14 PM PST by Piefloater
IF conclusive proof was needed that it is Islamic fundamentalists, and not the countries they despise, who are the enemies of ordinary Muslims, that proof has been provided by the events of the past fortnight in Iraq.
In the worst violence since the end of combat operations last May, suicide bombers have switched their focus away from coalition soldiers and on to ordinary Iraqis - ordinary, but not randomly chosen. Two attacks last week, claiming almost 100 lives, targeted Iraqis queuing to apply for jobs as soldiers and policemen. These suicide attacks were followed at the weekend by assaults on two Iraqi police compounds, leaving a further 27 Iraqis dead. The change of tactics clearly is designed to discourage Iraqis from participating in the reconstruction of key institutions of security and civil society in advance of the handover of sovereignty to the Iraqi people at the end of June.
Who fears that handover so intensely? Confirmation that the answer is Osama bin Laden and his cohorts was provided last week by the interception of a 17-page letter to bin Laden from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian militant and al-Qa'ida ally whom the US has long claimed was a semi-official guest of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. The letter makes it clear that the strategy of foreign terrorists in Iraq is to do everything they can to shake the confidence of Iraqis prior to June's handover. It reveals the desperation of the terrorists to do serious mischief before the Iraqi people regain control of their affairs. It also reveals that, by the slaughter of Iraqi civilians, the terrorists hope to foment civil and religious war between the majority Shia Muslims, and the minority Sunnis.
Clearly, the terrorists fear that the return of sovereignty in June will close their window of opportunity. This is all the more reason to settle the uncertainty about how the handover will take place, whether the transitional government will be chosen by an election or regional caucuses, and how it will proceed towards a constitution and full democracy. The Shia represent about 60 per cent of the population, and their most powerful leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, is pressing for full elections, now. The fear is that too early elections could be the platform for a power grab by Mr Sistani, and a movement towards theocracy rather than democracy. It is time for the UN to do as the US has requested, and return to Iraq to mediate and oversee the momentous transitions ahead. Delay and uncertainty can serve only to keep the terrorists' window open.
http://www.brookesnews.com
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.