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."

[angkor]

While there are plenty of countries that are socially and culturally unprepared for a Western-style democracy, I don't believe Iraq is one of those countries.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

how did I know this was a democrat - I dunno narrow minded, bigoted, racist, stupid comments, whining and moaning etc.. am I right?

[pointsal]

Perhaps, the enlightened Senator Rockefeller should take a guided tour of the prisons and NE sector of Baghdad! What an arrogant nitwit.

[mountaineer]

Then why the hey do y'all keep electing him (and Sheets for that matter)?

I honestly don't know. Laziness, to some extent, maybe. We had a great candidate run against Rocky in 2002, Jay Wolfe, who received about 37 percent of the vote. But Byrd and JDRIV had tons of money, and I don't know of any potential GOP candidates who could scrape together a small fraction of their war chest to mount a strong challenge.

[Conservababe]

I guess Rockafeller forgets that Japan did quite well with this new idea of democracy after WWII.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Typical elitist.

[mountaineer]

That's a good point, especially as Rocky got his college degree in Japan Studies, and considers himself quite the expert on the region. Of course, he might say, the Japanese are not desert nomads, so that would make all the difference.

[YoungHickey]

%@#!$$#@!

I am so discusted with this guy. Why don't we just ask the Iraqi's if they think they can handle it. As long as CNN doesn't do the poll we should be good to go. =)

[Amerigomag]

Ah, racism.

It's not comforting to see this basic misunderstanding of racial classifications.

Since Arabs, and for that matter, almost every ethnic group in this region are a subset of European caucsoids pronouncements of racial bigotry are inappropriate.

Prior to the Johnson administartion most educated individuals would have correctly indentified these manifestations at ethnic bigotry.

What damage and ignorance the Johnson through Clinton administrations, through their sycophants in the media, has inflicted our our society.

[skinkinthegrass]

Ah, racism.... a liberal conditioned response... simulate/response... power/bribery... Clintoons/corruption...etc.

[mountaineer]

Ah, ethnic bigotry.

Better?

[Bluntpoint]

The senator mis-spoke, he was referring to Berkley CA.

[hgro]

Crooks abound in the Rockefeller, Kennedy and Clinton families - boy, what a big suprise. The Rockefellers won't be able to plunder Iraq now.

[OldFriend]

Interesting how the lefties are now whining about our imposing democracy on the countries of the middle east,all the while demanding President Bush impose a settlement on the Israeli's and palestinians.

[skinkinthegrass]

Jay Rockefeller talking about Arabs sounds just like segregationists talking about "The Nigras" in the South in the '50s...Maybe Robert C. "Kleagle" Byrd writes his material.

Yeah, I bet "SHEETS" Byrd writes ALL of JDF Press releases...

[ChadGore]

"They Can't Handle It" <== That's racists.

[skinkinthegrass]

That hits close to home...I live in KY... :)

[ChadGore]

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va

[geedee]

Is it just me or is it rather ironic that folks from the DEMOCRATIC PARTY are primarily the ones who think other cultures and races won't appreciate DEMOCRACY and the inherent freedoms in that system of government just as much as the elitist snobs who man the DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S titled but dumb-as-a-rock leadership roles?

Don't they bill themselves as the do-gooders for the downtrodden? Don't they claim to be THE PARTY OF THE PEOPLE? Don't they claim it is us Pubbies who steal from the poor to give to the rich? Don't they . . . the list is endless.

Hello, gooney bird and Mr. T Rex, here come de Rats.

[Captain Kirk]

No realism! By the way is your middle name "Al Sharpton."