Sen. Rockefeller: Iraq Democracy is "Pipe Dream" and Not Desirable; They Can't Handle It

Sunday News-Register (Wheeling, WV) | April 13, 2003 | Justin Anderson

[mountaineer]

As leaders from nations around the globe begin to ponder the type of government post-war Iraq will enjoy, in an interview with the Sunday News-Register, U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., expressed hesitation regarding the possibility of a viable form of a democratic political structure in postwar Iraq.

"The idea of democracy in Iraq is a pipe dream," he said. "Iraq has never been a democracy. One of America's problems is that we are focusing on Saddam and not what is the country of Iraq. We tend to focus on individuals."

To Rockefeller and others in the federal government, the goal of stabilization and normalization is more achievable and far more urgent to the welfare of the Iraqi people. Following regime change, the office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance will be responsible in the initial phases for helping Iraqis restore the delivery of essential services like water, basic medical care and electricity.

If a democracy succeeded in Iraq, it would be a 20-30 year process, Rockefeller said. "(Democracy) is not desirable at this point. The (Iraqi) people are not ready for a democracy."

It will be difficult to win the trust of the Iraqi people after the war. By and large, civilian Iraqis live a tribal existence, Rockefeller said. A mistrust, at least on the parts of the Shiite Muslims in the south of the country, began to flourish during the first Gulf War.

"The Shiites are very slow to respond," Rockefeller said. "(President George H.W.) Bush encouraged them to rebel against Saddam back in 1991 and we just walked away. They were slaughtered."

The Shiites and other tribal factions of the Iraqi civilian population are living in a "very competitive environment," Rockefeller said.

"Most of them are just trying to eke out an existence of poverty," he said. "That kind of existence doesn't breed well for democratic behavior."

President George W. Bush and Biritish Prime Minister Tony Blair had a 20-hour visit in Belfast, Northern Ireland, last week to discuss the future of an Iraq without Saddam. One of the objectives is the introduction of a democratic state.

"I really don't know how much (Bush) knows about the country," Rockefeller said. "I've read books on it and otherwise researched it. I think that's pretty much what youhave to do to begin to understand a culture. It's not just a question of where your tanks go."

[Bonaparte]

"Hitler was NOT elected."

Correct. This guy gives a fairly accurate summary of how Hitler became Chancellor and then Fuhrer.

[mountaineer]

We also might point out that, unlike Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Bush has a graduate degree. But JDR the Fourth still knows all 'bout those nomadic Iraqis!

[proud American in Canada]

"Ah, racism."


No kidding, Timesink... if we give up on that part of the world, who will try to help them achieve lasting peace through democracy? No one.

I am optimistic...

[mountaineer]

if we give up on that part of the world, who will try to help them

Reminds me of the comment of the French fellow (quoted elsewhere on FR) to the effect of, "Yes, Saddam was terrible and had to go and, yes, the Iraqis couldn't get rid of him on their own, but I still don't think the Americans should have gone into Iraq."

Who will help them, indeed? It sure won't be the French, the U.N. or Susan Sarandon, all of whom wanted us to do nothing. Now, I hope we can help the Iraqis establish a representative system of government in which people have freedom and opportunity.

[Publicus]

You're most welcome. I just didn't appecreciate that sort of "humor".

As far as West Virginia's loyalty to Messrs. Rockefeller and Bird, it is in my view misplaced.

They deserve much better than arrogant, disconnected fools and pork barrel scamming, Klan clapping demagogues.

The fact they voted for W does indeed show the good people over there might be fixing on making some changes with respect to who will have the honor of representing them in Congress.

[Publicus]

"Dr. Maya Hussain, who has lived in USA for 20 years, just said on TV, that "freedom is the natural yearning of all people and to say that democracy is for some and not for others - IS RACIST"!!"

-She is absolutely right. It's a shame so many who spent even more time in the US than she has- even born here- STILL don't get it.

[Valin]

I support a third altenrative: allowing the Iraqis to set up an interim coalition govenrment asap and then turning over authority to it.

So in other words you agree with the President.

[BigWaveBetty]

"I really don't know how much (Bush) knows about the country," Rockefeller said. "I've read books on it and otherwise researched it. I think that's pretty much what you have to do to begin to understand a culture. It's not just a question of where your tanks go."

New York billionaire senator who purports to represent the Mountain State said he didn't know who should administer Iraq after the war - not the U.N., not NATO, not Iraqi exiles.

But, but, he's "read books on it and otherwise researched it."!!!!

Now time for a trip in the Wayback Machine to show just how much understanding Rockefeller had on how the war would go....From Late Edition 3/2/03:

You cannot do Iraq simply from the south. If you do it from the south and things go well, the whole war could be over in a month or less. If you don't have the north it might take two months or more. That's a lot of American people in harm's way.

Not only was he wrong, he's incoherent to boot. This of course gives John the all knowing power to determine who can do democracy and who can't.

[mountaineer]

Rockefeller really is not terribly smart. Actually, I usually describe him as dumb as a post, having interviewed him and found him incapable of answering difficult questions. I'm sorry the obvious questions were not asked of him for the interview I posted. It would have been interesting.

[Captain Kirk]

Timmy Sharpton speaks again. Democracy does not spring up overnight. To point out that there are cultural and historical impediments to its immediate flowering is not racist but simple realism. Now...democracy may come to Iraq but it will probably be a gradual process as it was long ago in Europe and America. BTW, do you also think critics of affirmative of action and busing are "racist."

Weimer was not a limited democracy. Germany had one of the freest presses in the world and elections were highly competitive. Just because the voters voted the wrong way doesn't make that any less true.

[Captain Kirk]

Err...um what "interim government" are you talking about and who is th Iraqi who heads it?

[Captain Kirk]

Germany and Japan in 1945 had recent democratic traditions and a free press and compettive elections. Iraq has no such recent tradition. Do you also believe that we "created" Democracy in Kosovo and Haiti by government fiat?

[Captain Kirk]

Well...then why did the Bush administration *prevent* the Iraqi opposition from setting up such a government several weeks ago even though they wanted to?

[Captain Kirk]

Well we "liberated" Haitia and Kosovo didn't we? I guess we also have to micromanage Iraq too now because, according to the Wilsonians, they "can't handle it" on their own.

[WVNan]

It's my personal view that candidates in WV should hit constantly on the social issues. You know how religious the people are. Candidates need to speak plainly against those who sanction abortion, anti-gun, etc. I think a plain-speaking person could devastate Rocky and Bird on their support of "sin" issues. I'm off for the day. Good to see ya girl.

[smith288]

Sen. Rockefeller: Iraq Democracy is "Pipe Dream" and Not Desirable; They Can't Handle It

They need affirmative action...Right Sin Rockefeller? Only the white man can succeed?

[Captain Kirk]

You racist!

[Valin]

Err...um what "interim government" are you talking about and who is th Iraqi who heads it?

As the President, Vice President, Sec. State, Sec Defence, and a cast of thousands have said again, and again, and again. This is up to the Iraqi people.

[Captain Kirk]

You are evading the question. Are you saying that they won't even be able to run their own elections? I have avoided use of the term "racist" but if ever it applied it would be to a paternalistic theory like that

[handy]

Amazing article. I guess in other times he would have said the same things about the US, Great Britian, Japan, South Korea, etc, etc, etc... not being capable of democracy.

Must be tough on Jay being so much smarter than everyone else...