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Answer
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Name
taha
- Iraq
Profession
pharmacie
Question
I am from Hillah where the Americans always drove for Baghdad with many trucks. We were always mad they never stop to help us but one day some soldiers had a vehicle break in front of my store. The mothers got scared and one ran but broce her foot. An army man who looked very mean went and helped her and said salam. The American soldiers here look mean but I think they are scared and we all have to hold hands and help Iraq forward. Do you say too inshallah there is hope?
Answer
One must say, InshAllh, yes, the American soldiers are scared. I do not think that they are welcomed in Iraq. They do things that make people resent their presence.
Name
Hesham
- United States
Profession
Engineer
Question
Dear brother,
I have mixed feelings about the Iraqi resistance going on in Iraq these days. On one hand, I understand they are trying to rid Iraq from an occupying force, on the other I wonder what will be the situation if the US Army leaves Iraq hastily. Added to this that most of the victims are now Iraqi civilians (or policemen), I must say that I don't think this is the right way.
Another way to counter the American plan for Iraq in my view is the following:
1. Work with the American forces to speed up the reconstruction of Iraq, and end the suffering of the civilian population. Hopefully this will lead to a quick departure of the American forces, as they will have no reason in front of the world opinion to remain there.
2. Organize a strong civil society, through labor and professional organizations, to play a strong role in post-occupation Iraq, and counter the political schemes of the west in terms of political and wealth distribution.
We have an example after world war II, and the departure of colonial powers from the middle east. Our countries were governed by dictators, who were all sold to the West, because the civil societies were not strong enough to force the will of the people. So getting rid of the occupation cannot be an end by itself.
Thank you for answering my question.
Answer
One can not talk about the situation in occupied Iraq without understanding the situation that existed in Iraq over the last 13 years of sanctions. The sanctions affected every aspect of life of every Iraqi. The occupation added more problems to the already overburdened Iraqis. The occupation so far is nothing more than a much more brutal extension of the sanctions.
In order to establish law and order, a strong "force" must take care to implement the order. The Americans having dissolved the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi police have created a power vacuum. Armies are an essential element in every society. Their duty is to help restore order. They have the capability to respond quickly in case of emergency. Look what happened in Los Angeles when riots happend: they called the national guards. In Iran, they called the Army to help with the earthquake. With no army and no effective police force, the US made it impossible for the American Army to withdraw from Iraq.
They will stay in Iraq after June or July this year because they made it part of the agreement with the IGC that they will be invited to stay so as not to make them an occupying power.
My understanding is that they have no intenstion to leave soon. They say that they will stay as long as needed. They are the ones who decide that they are needed.
Name
Nancy
- United States
Profession
social worker
Question
Thank you for taking my question! Can you tell us something about the political situaiton in Iraq right now? Are there many parties competing for power? Are the US forces alllowing some Iraqi political autonomy?
In your opinion, how will Iraq look like politically in 5 years?
Thank you very much for your response!
Nunziata
Answer
The Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) is not viewed as representative of the Iraqi people. Yes there are parties, in fact, too many of them. Most of these parties claim that they have many followers. No one really knows for sure about the claims they make.
While the Shiite parties who are part of the IGC agreed to the Nov. 15 agreement with Bremer at first, they are having a secound thought about the election, because now they have to confirm to wishes of Al-Sistani. The IGC members have discussed fedralisim for years when they were living abraod and also over the last several months. Now they are facing the reality that their vision of fedralism when they were the "opposition" is not very acceptable now that they are running the government.
As to what Iraq will look like in 5 years. I am not hopeful at all. America is not doing much on the reconsruction of the bombed out buildings and the infrastructure that they destroyed in 2003. I think if they pay more attention to the rebuilding of the infrastructure, rather than building bases, people might see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Name
Carst
-
Profession
Internet Programmer
Question
After all the suffering and hundred thousands of deaths inflicted upon the Iraqi people by the UN, how could anyone trust that organization?
Answer
The poor UN was used by the US and the UK as a cover to the genocide that was committed against the Iraqi people through the UKUSAUN sanctions which to me stands for United to Kill US All Unnecessarily.
Having said that, I think the UN would be more acceptable than the US or UK forces which, I think, are here to stay.
Name
Ennes
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu Aleikum Mr.Ghazwan. My question is how do you view the current US-UN meeting over Iraq, Why isn't the current puppet regime taking part in this discussion, because it seems US-UN gathering, looked rather more of a "mafia territorial discussions" than a diplomatic meeting.
2) Regarding the topic, are Iraqis Better off Saddam? To agree with the American occupation is like asking Ibliss (The Devil) to cure you from the sickenss.
Thanx Wa Salam!
Answer
The current meeting in New york is between Kofi Annan on one side, Bremer, Greenstock, the ex-British ambassador, and the "President" of the IGC on the other side. The whole idea of the meating is to have Annan say that the election could not be held soon so that they can say to Sistani that we should not have the election soon.
Name
Jeri
- United States
Profession
Historian/Mother of US Soldier in Iraq
Question
I have never understood why basic services have not been able to be restored up until this time. Since you are a retired engineer, I would like to know if the US authorities and Iraqi Council have attempted to involve the many professionals such as yourself in restoring services, or if there are Iraqi professionals working outside these authorities to get something done. Since there is a well-established international network for providing relief and restoring services after natural disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Iran, I would like to know your opinion of why this has not happened in Iraq, with almost a year passed since the invasion.
Answer
We the Iraqis have restored the electricity, the telephone services, the refineries, and the water system in three to four months after the destruction of 1991 - despite the sanctions and without outside help. These facts are documented in UN documents that I can give you.
The current situation is that Bechtel is in charge of the reconstruction. The Iraqi engineers and workers can not do anything without Bechtel studying the problem, finding the solution, and finding an American supplier, and then awarding the contract to an American company that will have to subcontract the work to an Iraqi subcontracter - a long long process that we did not go through in 1991. We just used our efforts and we were at the sites day and night without the fear of being shot at. we were rewarded for our work. I will post now some thing about the telephone system.
Name
dr kitumbi
- Tanzania
Profession
business consultant
Question
I HAVE THE FEELINGS THAT THE CURRENT USA OCCUPATION OF IRAQ WAS VERY MUCH MADE POSSIBLE BY IRAQ THEM SELVES AS IT IS NATURAL THAT WHE ONE COUNTRY IS BEING INVADED THEN IT DUTY BOUND FOR ALL CITIZEN TO PROTECT THEIR COUNTRY BUT TO OUR DISBELIEF WE SAW AMERICAN SOLDERS ENTERED IRAQ AND THOSE POOR ARABS JUST WATCHING AS IF IT IS FOOTBALL MATCH.WE KNOW SADAM WRONG THEM BUT WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND PRESTIGE IT IS NOT A MATTER OF SADAM ALONE . NOW SADAM HAS LOST BUT ALL IRAQIS HAVE SHAMELESY LOST THEIR PRIDE .
WAS IT DUE TO YOU ARABS YOU DONT LOVE EACH OTHER OR YOUR PEOPLE ARE NOT PATRIOTIC
Answer
Most of the Arab governments, inclouding Saddam's, are puppets in the hands of USA.
Name
Monica
- United States
Profession
Question
]
As-salaamu 'alaikum - I have heard reports on the news regarding riots in Iraq due to back pay and no jobs. How accurate are these reports? How often do they occur? And are the riots participated in by one group of people over another (such as those who were employed by Saddam)?
Answer
The demonstrations that are reported are of government employees that were sacked from their jobs and were not even payed any retirement benefits or anything. They just told them to go home.
Army was dissolved and were told to stay home. Some of them had 20+ years of service. Ministry of infornmation was dissolved. Security police dissolved... All those were working for the Iraqi government and are entitled to all sorts of beneits that the US disregarded.
Now that uemployed people sold eveything they had, they are starting to demonstrate, and you will hear more and more demonstrations in the next few weeks. People are getting fed up.
Name
Ameen
- United Kingdom
Profession
Student
Question
As-salaamu 'alaikum,
Do you feel the jihad efforts are on the rise? Are the American occupiers being defeated? We pray that Allah grants the Muslims victory.
Answer
One of the things that America did not understand is the rise of the Islamic political movement. Naturally the vacuum that was created in Iraq has attracted most of the Anti-Americans from all countries to use Iraq as a battle ground. I am sure we will win.
Name
khan
- Pakistan
Profession
seamen
Question
DEAR BROTHER ASSALAM O ALAKUM
MAY ALLAH GIVE U COURAGE TO FIGHT LIBERATE UR COUNTRY CAN U TELL THE MOMENTUM OF RESISTANCE I MEAN DOES THE CAPYURE OF SADDAM AFFECT UR MOVEMENT OR HAVE U FELT ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS HOW DO U SEE THE FUTURE.
WASALAM
MATIN
Answer
I do not think the the capture of Saddam or the killing of his two sons have any negative impact on the resistance. In fact some people who did not want to fight because they might be accused of beeing supportes of Saddam joined in the fighting after his death.
The future will see more and more resistance activities, because people are realizing that the occupation is intersted in its own interst and that the intersts of the Iraqi people are at the bottom of the American priority list.
Name
islam
- Ethiopia
Profession
stud
Question
What is being done on your side to protest and to stop civilian casualties done by US soldiers on Iraqis for ex-bombing of resindance areas without clear targets?
Thank you.
Answer
With no ICRC, Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch present in the country, with satallite TV stations threatened by the CPA and/or IGC not to touch such subjects, it is very difficult to do anything. Newspapers in Iraq are not to touch such things.
Name
rossella
- Italy
Profession
teacher
Question
As salamu alaykum,
I have a doubt in my mind, and I would like you to explain: how is that shi'a, in Iraq, are not partecipating in resistence against invasors? How can it be that shi'a - pressed everywhere by Israel and USA, from Lebanon to Syria - are making accords with them? It's not easy to understand this issue, for us. Can you tell? May Allah bless Iraq, Palestine and all oppressed people, everywhere. And jazakum Allahu khairan.
Thank you
Answer
I dont really understand it myself. The Shiite members of the IGC who were based in Iran and joined the American supported opposition are enjoying the power that is given to them by the Americans. Now that Sistani is opposing the occupation, you will see a change in the near future.
Name
Felicity
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Greetings,
*In the recent Conference in Quatar hosted by the US Brookings Institute and
including eight past and present US Ambassadors, these representatives
declared the US presence in Iraq: Oa benign occupation.¹ Could you describe
this benign presence?
*On 23rd October 2003, Christian Aid published a nineteen page Report:
OIraq: the Missing Millions.¹ They cited - broadly - the unaccounted moneys
taken from Banks, released by the UN and from all Ministries now under US
control. This lack of accounting was certainly explained by the chaos after
the invasion. Where do your readers and you all now access the US accounting
for these moneys in Iraq¹s papers/literature/CPA etc output? Please point us
in the right direction.
*After the 1991 Gulf war, basic amenities were back on stream to a tolerable
extent within weeks, as reconstruction, on a huge scale. Inspite of
shortcomings resultant from an draconian embargo and all imports barred, it
happened. Explain how the skills of Iraqi experts, who have this remakable
experience are being currently utlised by the US Administration but why ten
months later, services are still so bad this time. If you would be kind
enough.
*As I understand, under the former Regime, there was a lot of fear. Can you
outline the safety you now experiece in the new and democratic Iraq?
Warm good wishes, felicity, London.
Answer
The occupation is not "benign;" we are being killed everyday by trigger-happy young soldiers. The conditions in Iraq now are worse than during the sanctions. We have, after 10 months, less electricity, no telephones, much less drinking water, more crimes, less security... etc. Those who say it is bengin are not in Baghdad and they did not see how bad things are. If they visited Baghdad, they were the guests of Bremer. They only saw the airport, the Rasheed hotel and the CPA offices.
Iraqi engineers are not allowed to plan for the reconstruction of Iraq or participate in the decision-making proccess. Third-grade engineers from Bechtel are the ones who are running the show. Bechtel is the only show in Town!
We were probably afraid to talk about one person, Saddam. (You know me, Felicity; I could not keep my mouth shut.) Now we are afraid to talk about all the 25 people runing the IGC as well as Bremer and the Americans.
Some weeks a go I gave a radio interview to a radio station in San Francisco over a telephone issued to my wife by UNDP. The American MCI disconnected her telephone because of the interview. UNDP asked repeatedly to have the line reconnected but failed.
Name
Hadia
-
Profession
student
Question
Assalaamu aleikum!
So, what about the subject question:
Do you think Iraqis are better off without Saddam Hussein, though they have to cope with american occupant forces and car bombs?
I have noticed that before this occupation my Iraqi freinds always udsed to say that their families were fine, but now they say its very difficult. Is that just because they now dare to speak out (the people in Iraq) or because they really are worse off?
Wa salaam
Answer
Iraq is a lot worse now than it was the invation not because Saddam was there and now he is no longer running the country. The fact that it is worse by any standard is due to the American occupation, the destructions that was caused, the lawlessness that followed and the fact that there is no visible reconstruction efforts.
I want to say that we, the Iraqi engineers, rebuilt the telephone exchanges that were much heavily damaged in 1991 than now; we did the reestablishment of the telephone service in three months, under Saddam - but it was us who did the work. If Saddam is to get credit for 1991, it is because he provided the leadership to do the work.
America and the world can not escape the fact that we did the reconstruction in 3-4 months in 1991 and they, with all the help and money and... and, could not -after 10 months - do what we did in 3 months.
