Posted on 04/13/2003 7:08:30 AM PDT by 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."
"They just aren't ready for the vote now. Maybe someday they will be able to handle it."
I haven't seen a politician make such racist comments since David Duke dropped out of the limelight.
So9
I've been dying to ask this question. Since Robert K. Byrd is the "pork king" of the U.S. Senate, why is it that Palestine, West Virginia (hometown of PFC Jessica Lynch), has a reported unemployment rate of15%? That percentage was cited by an NPR reporter. As well, I've discovered that there are quite a few counties in W.Va. that have just as high, or higher unemployment rates. It would seem that Rockefeller and Byrd have done little for the people of their state, yet the people keep sending them back to Congress. Go figure.
Maybe Robert C. "Kleagle" Byrd writes his material.
Of course those nasty segregationists of the 50s were Democrats too, just like Rockefeller and his fellow W. Virginia Senator Grand Kleigel Robt. Byrd.
So9
Jay "I'm Off My" Rocker Fellah pulls one out of the King George III quote book.
Reading his comments, you can almost hear him talking about "those lazy AY-rabs".
How did the same state the produced Lynch produce this nimrod?
Wow, that is a really good point. I'd like to ask some of these people a question like this, but you know they never answer, they say, "Look, ..." and go off on some talking points that aren't even related to the question.
I've gotten to where, when I ask someone a pointed question, if they begin their answer with a sigh and "Look," I know there's no point in even staying around.
Bingo.
I hate the inheritance tax. But one downside of letting the spawn of the highly economically successful keep daddy's (or grand daddy's) enormous fortune is that we get so many idiot politicians who are trust babies (or married to them).
No solutions, just an observation.
Is it 1984 yet?
Wet, wonderful WV has a few wet, not-so-wonderful Senators.
Well, when you think about it, 1984 came true IN 1984... in Iraq! Orwell predicted it perfectly, it just didn't happen in Great Britain.... it happened in the Middle East.
Ah, so he's an expert bigot. That makes it all right apparently.
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