Towards a new Iraq

It is indeed a positive development that Iraq’s neighbours have committed themselves to the tasks ahead in the war-wracked country. The support from the six neighbours — Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan and Turkey — is crucial to restoring peace and stability in the country. The importance of their cooperation can be hardly overestimated particularly when Iraq is set to have its first democratic election in a month from now. The January poll, Iraq’s neighbours would agree, can go a long way in restoring democratic rights to the Iraqi people — denied to them all these years.

If President Bush and Prime Minister Allawi were looking for international legitimacy for the new dispensation in Iraq, they got plenty of it yesterday. In addition to US, Iraq, host Egypt, and six neighbours of Iraq, the Sharm el Sheikh summit was attended by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Arab League chief Amr Moussa, foreign ministers of G-8 nations and representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the European Union. Iraq couldn’t have hoped for a greater expression of international support.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, several advisors are saying that we need less troops rather than more troops. Reason: More troops mean more targets, less troops mean less targets. Thanks, but no cigars for these geniuses. It is becoming apparent that we are no more efficient at war-making overseas than our bumbling bureaucracy is at taking care of domestic problems here at home.

Thanks much for posting the links. Hope others have an interest in taking a look at their site, especially the blog.

The reference to Trotsky's "everlasting revolution" startled me, at first, but they claim to favor regional federalism.

I need to take some time to read through this. Whatever their politics turn out to be, the view into Iraq is fascinating . . . and very much at odds with what our media shows us . . . or rather, does not show us.

A Democracy in their midst could actually cause them problems.

So everyone says and it is probably true.

Maybe they are looking at trade-offs. Saddam had already attacked some of them in the past. Some of them would not be real fond of A Zarqawi type neighbor either. Some of them may just be playing their cards with no intention of letting democracy really settle in I Iraq.

And some of them may be counting on Iraqi culture to "bend" the democracy into something less threatening.

IRAQI POLITICAL GROUPS
A brief sketch of the various political groups that have emerged in Iraq.
IRAQI POLITICAL GROUPS, Part 1
http://www.rferl.org/specials/IraqCrisis/specials-politicalgroups.asp

IRAQI POLITICAL GROUPS, Part 2
http://www.rferl.org/specials/IraqCrisis/specials-politicalgroups2.asp

"Ain't Democracy beautiful."

Yes it is.
Exciting times in Iraq, we'll see if they can do it.

(snip)...Good bye 2003, my eyes saw the greatest scene through you,
and I lived my happiest moment in you (the tyrant falls)
Is there anything greater than that?
Good bye 2003, in you I listened to the most beautiful words "ladies and gentle men, we got him"
Good bye 2003, the legend of my people was written through out your days with blood and tears.
Good bye 2003, you were the best.
My friends, celebrate the New Year, but don't forget to add a new name to your invitation list,
We would love to join, and we will have the honor and pride to do so.
We came holding our slogan "it won't be our duty to anticipate the coming disaster, but to struggle for a better world"**
Give us a little space on your ship, we still stumble, but we shall never fall again.
We have our star that will guide us.
Believe me my friends. We want to be on your side.
Our hearts are bigger now; they will not only carry our sorrow, but those of the entire world as well.
Your help have taught us a valuable lesson :( we're all sinners, I'm in jail as long as there's a man in jail, and I'm hungry as long as there's a hungry man on earth)***
We've got to create another world, a new land; where there's less pain and sorrow, and that will not be hard to do if the brave gathered for it.
I wish that my people as well as the oppressed people every where come to appreciate the gift of freedom, as when they do so they will be ready to fight for it and then, they will have it and no one could take it away from them.
As for the free people who helped us and are ready to help the others; I wish you peace and all the best as you certainly deserve it. ..(snip)
From Iraq the Model - Happy New Year 2003 - Dec. 31

I read this for the first time this morning. It should have been printed in every paper in the nation last year. These men were joyful at their freedom last year and this year are organizing for the election and next year will vote.

I am so proud of my country and our military.

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.