Obama Delights Iraqis, Worries Kurds

"Obama searches for democracy and it is a great step for the freedom in Iraq," Jalil told IOL.

"During the US elections campaign, Obama showed a more closer worrying with our problems," Ayman Abdel-Rahman, a clinician in Baghdad, told IslamOnline.net.

"I believe that his victory is the greatest chance for many minorities to have their rights recognized and we are one of them."

Obama, a 47-year-old Illinois senator, make history on Tuesday, November 4, becoming America's first-ever black president.

He captured an estimated 52 percent of the popular vote and 349 electoral votes to Republican John McCain’s 46 percent and 162 electoral votes, with Missouri and North Carolina still too close to call.

"If McCain had won, we would be crying for more five years desperate to have someone with ideals different from Bush that destroyed our lives," said Abdel-Rahman.

"We know that with Obama the chances to improve our living condition and have US troops out from Iraq are closer than ever."

Obama has been a vocal opponent of the 2003 US invasion-turned-occupation of Iraq.

He has pledged to end the unpopular Iraq war and withdraw most of the US combat troops within 16 months.

Popular Obama

Never in Iraq’s history have people showed such an interest in American presidential elections.

Hundreds of coffee shops countrywide turned into places for debates while customers watched reports on the voting and then results of the White House race.

"Americans showed a change in their mindset by electing a black president rather than the famous veteran," said Sinan Fadhel, a political analyst.

"Probably US citizens are tired from the old politics and the huge mistakes President George Bush made in the past eight years."

Many believe that President Obama will be better for Iraq.

"A hope for a better Iraq showed up with the victory of Obama," said Fadhel.

"We aren't stupid to believe that things will change fast but at least we know that politics, occupation and humanitarian situation of Iraq can be improved."

Zubaida Jalil, a 32-year-old primary school teacher and mother of two in the southern city of Basra, agrees.

"When we were invaded, he was against it so I'm sure that he will do whatever is possible to give us a better life as a way to compensate Bush’s mistakes," she told IOL.

"Obama searches for democracy and it is a great step for the freedom in Iraq.

"He is a great example to be followed."

Pessimistic Kurds 

Iraqi Kurds fear that under Obama, they will lose the strong partnership they had under the Bush administration. (IOL photo)

But Obama's historic election was bittersweet for Iraq's Kurds.

"We were hoping for McCain to win as we believe that he would keep the support given to our independent region," Werzan Peskewt, a 32-year-old lawyer in Sulaimaniyah, told IOL.

"Now our future is uncertain."

Iraqi Kurds fear that under Obama, they will lose the strong partnership they had enjoyed with the Bush administration.

"We don't know how he will behave concerning the support we have been receiving from US troops in the region," said Peskewt.

"If he keeps what he was promising, soon US soldiers are going to be out from out streets leaving a huge gap for violence to spread."

But some Kurds believe Obama will change his mind about troop withdrawal after he assumes office on January 20.

"Although Obama said he will end the occupation, soon he will wake up and see that they need us because of our oil as well as we need them for their strong and powerful army control over security in Iraq," a Kurdistan government official told IOL.

"We have to cross our fingers and hope for the best."