Posted on 12/21/2004 9:29:03 PM PST by goldstategop
Despite the lack of security in Iraq today, a democratic, pluralistic Iraq is the only acceptable outcome. Iraq's unity can be best secured through the involvement of all groups in the political process. The concerns being voiced by many in the international community, of the fear of Sunni marginalization and Shiite domination, were the same concerns that allowed Saddam to last as long as he did. Those arguments are reappearing today, to close the door of hope and opportunity for the Iraqi people. But Saddamism without Saddam is simply not an option.
Iraq's people are already realizing their objective of free elections by mobilizing themselves electorally for the first time in 45 years. There are 80 blocs of lists or individuals that have already registered to take part. The number of registered voters is increasing by the day. This is a clear expression by the Iraqi people of their wish to participate in a legitimate political process, and to ensure that their voices will not be silenced as they were under Saddam.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
So what ended up being the deal with Ahmad Chalabi?
He was accused of somehow conspiring with the Iranians, and then dropped off the American radar screen pretty darn fast.
Was he guilty, but saved based on political considerations? Innocent and slandered by the press or some Washington bureacracy? Somewhere in between?
Slandered by the State Department and the press. They wanted to reach out to the Saddamite elements in Iraq hostile to us in hopes of "stabilizing" the country. We can see how well that approach worked. When will our bureaucrats learn dictators are never our friends? Sure, one can be in our corner today but they might need us as an enemy tomorrow to prop up their rule. Chalabi is not perfect but compared to the crop of authoritarians and extremists in the Middle East, he's an exemplary figure. Its a shame Arab democrats have not received more support from the West.
It's nice to see that Chalabi has outlasted the witch-hunt against him. It actually feels like welcoming an old friend.
The Wall Street Journal also deserves praise for printing this article in the face of State Department collaboration in that effort to demonize him.
I think that he's correct about the future of Iraq. Everyone who has another idea - Ba'athist, Sunni theocrat, Shi'ite Iranian tool - each of these sees an Iraq that cannot be and is willing to kill for it. Iraq was a phony British construction in the 20's but it isn't now. Chalabi's vision is that of an Iraq as independent as it was under Saddam but not strangled by a police state. I think they can pull it off, but there's a long, bloody road between here and there, and we're going to have to endure it to the end or the vision will fail.
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