Pro-Saddam Editor of Al-Quds Al-Arabi

memri ^ | April 10, 2003 | Abd Al-Bari Atwan

[ABrit]

Pro-Saddam Editor of Al-Quds Al-Arabi Before and during the war, the pro-Saddam editor of the London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Abd Al-Bari Atwan, assured his readers that the Americans were bound to encounter fierce resistance in Baghdad. He found it difficult to adjust to the new reality. In an article titled "A More Difficult Stage Has Begun," Abd Al-Bari Atwan wrote: "I don't believe that the American forces' stay in Baghdad will be enjoyable and without danger. Despite the astonishing and inexplicable collapse of its defenders, the looting we witnessed on the television screens, and the incidents of vengeance and bloody settling of accounts in Basra, all point to the fact that a new stage has begun, one more difficult than the first three weeks of the invasion. The challenges facing the American and British invaders are immense. Even more immense are the Iraqi people's expectations of prosperity, stability, and democracy."

"It is my assessment that the task of the invading forces to maintain security, stabilize military control, and set up a strong central government in Iraq is nearly impossible – not to mention very costly in both money and manpower…"

"With his rough and bloody style of government, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein both divided the Iraqis and created his own opposition. The end of his rule will perhaps divide the opposition and unite the entire Iraqi people against the American invaders."

"The Americans entered Iraq and achieved their goal by removing the forces of the regime and expelling them from Baghdad. I wonder who will expel them from Iraq, how, at what price, and after how many years?"

"Finally, I want to ask, what do the Arab leaders feel, those who abandoned Iraq, and conspired with the invaders, what do they feel when they see the statues of their colleague Saddam Hussein fall one after another, in Basra, Baghdad, and Nasiriyya? Have they given it a lot of thought, and have they learned any lessons? I believe that the statue of Saddam Hussein is not the only one that will fall. It will be followed soon by other statues, in more than one Arab capital."

"It is proven that military and security forces, no matter how violent, cannot protect a dictatorial regime – especially if its masters and protectors want to change it. According to our information, both the British and American governments have started seeking alternatives and examining names, in preparation for a change of regime in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran."

[ABrit]

"According to our information, both the British and American governments have started seeking alternatives and examining names, in preparation for a change of regime in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran."

I don't know if he knows what he's talking about. Usually he doesn't, but it's startling if true.

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Hi mom!

[kjam22]

I think Syria is a possiblity. But if that happens... I think the others will definitely become our partners in the war on terror.