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Answer
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Name
Ishaq
- Nigeria
Profession
student
Question
What role is the Arab Nation playing to see that Iraqis are given back there freedom of Administration of there own country?
Answer
As far as the Arab rulers are concerned, I am sorry to say that they are doing nothing to assist Iraq in gaining its independence and freedom.
Name
Duaa
- Egypt
Profession
Journalist in Alkahata Japanese paper
Question
Peace on all of you. My name is Duaa Abbas. I am a journalist in Akahata- paper of the Japanese Communist Party- and I am working in its Bureau in Egypt. I want to ask Dr.Wamidh two questions. The first,what do you think the American attack on Mosel which started today, would bring to the scene in Iraq, especilly its impact on elections and escalation of violence and what meaning will electins have if they were held in shadow of this new US attack?
The second question is, regarding the Sunni boycott for elections and increaisng of the opposers for holding the electins at current, do you think elections will be legal and will the coming government enjoy a legitimacy in absence of participation of influential political powers from the elctions process?
Looking forward for your sharp answers. Thanks alot.
Answer
I was in a meeting and the first news on the attack on Mosel came by yourself. I thought such an attack wouldn’t take place, because yesterday the Iraqi Interim President Ghazi Al-Yawer said in a television interview that he was assured by the Americans that there would be no such attack; the population of Mosul is more than 2 million Arabs—which is different from Fallujah, which had only 350,000 inhabitants. If your news is accurate, I am afraid much blood will be shed; there will be lots of casualties, and of course more anger against the Americans and the interim government, which wouldn’t help in creating the necessary atmosphere for the elections.
As for your second question, allow me to say that the boycott is not a Sunni one; among those who called for the boycott of elections as early as November 8 was Ayatollah Mohammed Jawad Al-Khalisy and Ayatollah Ahmed Hassan Al-Baghdadi, both of whom are prominent Shiite figures. Recently, Mr. Moqtada Al-Sadr declared his boycott of the elections—he is the head of the biggest Shiite movement in Iraq. On the other hand, Mr. Ghazi Al-Yawer , Mr. Al-Patchatchi, and Mr. Jaderji are all of Sunni origin, and they are all participating in the elections. I think the problem is that the anti-occupation forces in Iraq are unsure of the elections’ integrity and democratic procedure. We issued a declaration on October 27, stating our belief in democratic elections, and we drew attention to certain requirements that are necessary for truly democratic elections. None of our demands were accepted. Furthermore, while we were seeking a cease-fire, the Americans started their campaign on Fallujah (November 8), which proved that they are not considering creating a healthy atmosphere to conduct the elections; so we declared our boycott of the elections on November 10, 2004. By “we” I am referring to a group called the Iraqi National Foundation Conference, which is composed of enlightened Islamists (Both Shiite and Sunni), pan-Arabists, and independent Marxists.
Name
M
-
Profession
Question
Which is in the interest of Iraq: should the elections take place on time or get delayed until the security situation gets more stable?
Answer
It’s not a question of security. The requirements for a free and democratic elections this could be summarized in the following points:
1- An international committee to supervise the elections—it should comprise international figures known for there integrity and honesty.
2- The withdrawal of foreign troops from the streets of big cities and towns to their camps within Iraq.
If these conditions were met then a postponement of elections might be a wise decision; otherwise, no one would recognize the elections under the occupation.
Name
MUSLIM
- Belgium
Profession
student
Question
Assalamu `alaikum,
What do you think will be the future of the moqawama (resistance) in Iraq, especially after the so called elections?
Answer
Resistance in Iraq is the natural response to foreign occupation. The withdrawal of foreign troops without conditions will be accepted by the people. But if the elections were to give the legitimacy for occupation or there puppet regime, then the resistance will continue.
Name
zaki
- Malaysia
Profession
student
Question
Over decades Iraqis have lived in misery and hopelessness. The former tyrant, Saddam Hussein (I considered him a puppet of America) moulded his people into the state of war and killings as well as an abyss.
Then, America came to Iraq just to add to their misery and made Iraqis' lives harder than before.
You see that Iraqis' lives are desperate and chilling and fear.
It is hard for me to see the future of Iraq.
Answer
I tend to agree with you on your assumptions. I really cannot predict the future, but I think that we hope to achieve an independence for Iraq and a national reconciliation among its factions—be them religious ore ethnic factions—to achieve democracy and development.
Name
Hamza
-
Profession
Question
What is the future of Saddam Hussein and the Baathists?
Answer
Saddam is now under arrest by the Americans. I don’t think they are able to give him a fair trial; this is why his trial has been delayed for more than a year. So I think the Americans and the government are, in a way or another, facing a paradox that they can’t sort out.
Name
Nancy
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
How do you see Iraq 5 years from now?
Answer
It is difficult to predict the future, but I hope that through a national reconciliation, the advance of democracy, the withdrawal of foreign troops, and regaining Iraq’s independence, things would be much better. Please do inform Mr. Blair.
Name
Confused
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Profession
Question
The situation in Iraq is very very bad. Bombings everyday to resist the occupation. Anti-US military operations. And the US, as a result, is staying to improve the security situation. A catch 22. Is there a way out? Is there a way Iraq can become better? I am afraid that if the US leaves, more chaos will reign.
Answer
I assure you that if the US leaves, there will be no more chaos. What the Americans are saying to the Iraqis is, "Let us kill you instead of having you kill each other."
Name
Ben
-
Profession
Question
If America pulls out of Iraq, the bad security situation will get worse.
Answer
Security in Iraq was much better before the US occupation. The American administration is not a charity committee to bring security. They have destroyed all the security institutions—armed forces, border guards, etc. So do you call this an intention to maintain security or to stay in Iraq on permanently?
Name
Mohammed
-
Profession
Question
What do you advise ordinary Iraqis to do?
Answer
First of all, I advise them to unite and not to exaggerate their differences. I also adivse them to like one other and to consider differences a matter of opinion, not a struggle against one other. Secondly, they should work to achieve a quick withdrawal of foreign troops from their country and try to prepare Iraq for tolerance, brotherhood, and democracy.
