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Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk
Name
Mamdouh
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Hello Scott Ritter, nice to have you on islamonline. I would like to ask about your general assessment of what has happened, how things were orchestrated, how did the Anglo-American coalition behave in Iraq, and how did they collapse the Iraqi regime?
Answer
Well, I think this came about as a result of a larger policy objective on the part of the Bush Administration that seeks regional transformation in the ME that goes beyond simply removing Saddam Hussein from power. It has to do with changing governments that are currently not allying with American policy into Western style liberal democracies. It also has a lot to do with the security of Israel although many will not acknowledge this. Iraq represents the initial phase of this larger policy and has been in the making for over a decade. Economic sanctions imposed on Iraq at the time of the invasion of Kuwait at 1990 and continued in 1991, this time links to Iraq's obligation to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction where in fact used by the United States to contain and destabilize the rule of Saddam Hussein, weakening his regime economically, politically, and militarily, making Iraq eventually defenseless against the onslaught of British and American military power.
Name
Haroon
- United States
Profession
Question
How and why the USu encouraged looting in Iraq?
Answer
I have no evidence that the United States encouraged looting in Iraq. I believe that the American military authorities were taken by surprise concerning the rapid collapse of the defense of Baghdad and that the occupation of Baghdad was more accident than design. And as such, there was no plan in place for the security of those sites in Baghdad that ended up being looted. This is not an excuse as the United States is obligated under international law to provide the security. But I think what we saw in Baghdad was more the result of negligence than a pre-planned event.
Name
Robert
-
Profession
Question
In interview before the fall of Baghdad, you said that America will lose the war, stating literally: "We find ourselves facing a nation of 23 million, with armed elements numbering around 7 million -who are concentrated at urban areas. We will not win this fight. America will loose this war"
"Remember we can kill many, many Iraqui's and we will do so. But I am telling you right now, that we do not have sufficient combat power in Iraq --as we speak-- to win this battle."
Now, after the fall of Baghdad and the collapse of the Iraqi regime, can you say that America has won the war?
Answer
No, America has lost the war. I think that I, many others, were shocked by the speed of the American advance in Baghdad and the collapse of organized resistance. But this war is about the 'liberation of Iraq, the disarmament of Iraq, and the installation of a pro-American democratic government in Iraq. While many Iraqis celebrate the demise of Saddam Hussein and rightfully so, the majority of Iraqis are against the American occupation of their country. For the United States to be viewed by the Iraqi people as 'liberators' not occupiers, the Iraqi people need to trust the motives of the American invasion. These motives were based on the American contention that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Now it appears that Iraq had in fact disarmed, and there are no such weapons that the basis for the invasion was in fact a lie.
Not only this, but economic sanctions that were imposed on Iraq for more than a decade and which cost the lives of over a million innocent Iraqi, and which were link to Iraq's disarmament were supported and sustained by the United States without cause. Once the Iraqi people realize that it was the United States, not Saddam Hussein, who is responsible for the deaths of these Iraqis, that this invasion was not about liberating Iraq but occupying Iraq, they will not support the American presence in their own country. They will not support a government hand picked by the US to rule them, which means the United States will not achieve its strategic objectives in Iraq. This means that the United States will have lost its war in Iraq, even after defeating the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Name
teresa
- Uruguay
Profession
housewife
Question
Regards,
I personally have felt that the whole process by U.S.A./Britian,is for control and position within the M.E.
May I ask,why Arab reporting quarters were bombed,at a similiar time to the disgraceful act of theft of priceless artefacts from the Iraq Musuem.What will U.S.A.do to ensure their safe return?
Answer
I don't know what US will do to achieve the recovery of the stolen artifacts. I don't know what if any link between the bombing of Al-Jazeera's office in Baghdad and the looting of Baghdad. I do know that if the United States deliberately targeted the offices of al-Jazeera that this is a war crime, and that this matter should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable.
Name
Idris
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
In my limited understanding, a great game is being played out whose aims are: securing the oil (and thereby rescuing America's economy, furthering Israel's lust for Muslim lands, proving to the Islamic world that America now means business and will get whatever it wants, at any cost). I don't think that there will be time for Iraq to return to tranquility, to achieve stability and then Muslims can try to get rid of the Americans - other conflicts and events will have kicked in (possible invasions of other Muslim lands). Should Muslims (not only Iraqi's) not try to put up some form of resistance against the American occupation forces that will prevent America fromp achieving its aims (before it is too late)?
Answer
I will never support an attack against the United States or American interests. I say this as an American. However, I will always support the rights of people to defend themselves. The only way to resolve this matter peacefully is for the people of the United States to hold their elected representatives accountable for it is done in their name, and I would encourage everyone, whether a Muslim or non-Muslim, to do what they can to empower the American people with the knowledge and information necessary to challenge unjust American policies.
Name
nancy
- United States
Profession
Question
I admire your courage for speaking out! I have two questions for you:
1) Have members of the media, the administration stop you from speaking out freely about your findings in Iraq?
2) If there are weapons in Iraq, do you feel there is a danger that the weapons will fall into the wrong hands(ie terrorist groups)??
Again, thank you for having the courage to speak the truth.
Thank you!
Answer
Thank you for your kind words. I have not been stopped from speaking out although efforts have been made by those who oppose my point of view to deny me access to mainstream media outlets. I continue to maintain that Iraq has been fundamentally disarmed by the United Nations weapons inspectors and that Iraq has no viable WMD programs. No one has been able to demonstrate a link between Saddam Hussein's regime and international terrorist organization that dealt with WMD. I do not believe that this is a realistic threat.
Name
jadid
-
Profession
Question
Did the us military find any weapon of mass destruction and if not then what about the evidences shown?
Answer
My understanding is that as of today no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. I have always maintained that the so-called evidence sided by the Bush administration as proof that Iraq had such weapons was inaccurate and deliberately misleading.
Name
Mo
- United States
Profession
Question
Do you believe we should be more concerned about the extremists hiding in caves in Afghanistan or the extremists in the US administration, the Congress, the two major political parties, the main media networks, and the pro-Israeli lobbies?
Whatever happened to "Do unto others as you would like done unto you?"
Answer
As an American, I take the concept of democracy and accountability seriously. As such, I believe that the biggest threat to American democracy comes from the voices of religious fundamentalists extremists here in America who have seized control of the reigns of political power. It is extremist such as this who formulate and implement the policies which alienate many in the world against the US and who represent a greater threat to American and indeed the entire world than any extremist hiding in a cave in Afghanistan ever could.
Name
Naim
-
Profession
Question
Hello! I see that you are accusing the Bush Administration in particular. Well, history tells us that most, if not all, Western administrations have had the same attitude towards poorer countries. What is your opinion on this issue? Thank you in advance.
Answer
I think that history shows all too well that rich Western nations have achieved much of their wealth by exploiting underdeveloped nations, and in this all governments, past and present, who have sustained such policies should be held accountable. I single out the Bush administration not because it is different, but because it is currently responsible for policies I disagree with.
Name
Nancy
- United States
Profession
Question
Has the American media presented an accurate picture of the war in Iraq? Or, do you feel that reporting has been biased in favor of this military operation?
I admire your courage and fortitude.
Answer
I believe the American media for the most part has lost all objectivity in covering this war. This is due to a number of reasons: one is the corporate domination of the media, and second is the American jingoism which is permeated in the American media to the extent that most of so-called journalists are no longer deserving of the title 'journalist'.
Name
Amal
-
Profession
Question
I would like to ask you about the cost of the war. Some people have said it reaches to 20 billions, some say it goes up to a hundred billions, some say it is even more than this. Are the American people aware of this amount? What is their reaction?
Answer
First of all, we must recognize that the war is not yet over, and as such it is impossible to calculate the final cost of the war. My understanding is that the war has cost about 30 billions to date, and that the President has asked for the Congress to fund up to 80 billion dollars to cover the expense.
At some point in time, I believe, the American people will start to question the motives of this war and in doing so the cost of this war. But right now, most are focused on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the successful military campaign.
Name
Mo
- United States
Profession
Question
Hi.
What would you say about the suggestion that insecurity, fear, and perpetual discord are actually the main objectives of the current extremists in the administration? In that sense, I suggest they feel they have achieved their goal if they can manage to bring another century of war, discord, and terrorism about. That would allow them to further erode our liberties at home, justify their extremist acts over seas, continue to plunder our national resources and serve their special interest.Despots and those hungry for power, influence, and wealth have always used fear to control.
Thanks.
Answer
I have always viewed the Bush administration as representing a narrow slice of neo-conservative right wing ideology and not representative of mainstream America. Therefore, the Bush administration can only sustain its policies by exploiting the fear and ignorance of the American people that has existed since September 11, 2001. To do this, the Bush administration has made the American people feel as if they are under attack, both at home and around the world, and many of the Bush administration policies appear to be designed to create that perception.
Name
Siddiqui
-
Profession
Question
General F. S. Maude, commander of the British forces, said when he captured Baghdad in 1917: "Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators. Your wealth has been stripped of you by unjust men...The people of Baghdad shall flourish under institutions which are in consonance with their sacred laws...The Arab race may rise once more to greatness!"
My question is: Has history has a way of repeating itself?
Answer
Yes, no amount of colorful language can make up for bad policy and dishonorable motives. Like the British before them, the Americans have entered Baghdad with objectives other than what is best for the people of Iraq, and ultimately, like the British, the American occupation of Iraq will fail. History will repeat itself.
Name
Abdel Fattah Abderraziq
- Somalia
Profession
Question
As Robert Fisk said in his report on April 17 published by the Independent, "So now – with neither electricity nor running water – the millions of Iraqis here are ordered to stay in their homes from dusk to dawn. Lockdown. It's a form of imprisonment. In their own country. Written by the command of the 1st US Marine Division, it's a curfew in all but name." Do you agree? Is this the form of freedom America promised the people of Iraq?
Answer
It is hard to draw a definitive conclusion about long term stability in either Baghdad or Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein. The question should be the appropriateness of the American occupation: what is its legitimacy, why are the Americans there, what do they hope to achieve, and how long will take them to achieve it, because I am skeptical of the Bush administration's claims to be operating in the best interest of the Iraqi people. I am skeptical of the viability of this American occupation, and in that, Mr. Fisk and I are of one mind.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
We would like to apologize for our viewers for not being able to answer all the questions within the time allotted to this session. We request our viewers to join us in the upcoming sessions on Iraq.
