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The US Embassy Baghdad & the Election result; a different perspective

Reader comment on item: White Elephant in Baghdad

Submitted by Sandy daze (United Kingdom), Apr 4, 2010 at 22:29

5 April 2010
Baghdad

Sir,

I agree whole heartedly with your comments regarding the New Embassy Complex. It is a national embarasment of the first order, looks like a prison, and if you have ever seen it, it is the antithesis of a open, confident America. The American Government should build a new diplomatic-military compound near the BIAP, and donate the current monstrosity to the People of Iraq as an 'American University Baghdad.'

I cannot underscore my complete and utter contempt for the new embassy complex and for that matter most of the feckless, so called diplomats, cocooned inside. When looking at the security walls and guard towers of the embassy's perimeter, one can easily speculate that the embassy is a prison to keep those inside the walls, inside; as much as those outside the walls, outside; never to two to meet.

But as strongly as I agree on your embassy comments--which would be improved if you actually visited first hand, I must take exception with your apparent agreement with the NYT's conclusion that the recent elections were inconclusive and by implication in some manner not significant.

I would like to offer a first hand assessment. My comments are based upon first-hand observation of the Iraq transformation (i), close frequent contact with Iraqis: Shia, Sunni and Kurds, across the country, and discussion with other internationals in Iraq (ii).

Far from what some naysayers are suggesting about the recent election, I believe they were remarkably successful.

That the Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, with all of the tools and levers of power at his disposal, not to mention the influence of the Iranian government, was not able to win is nothing sort of amazing.

That former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi was able to win, even though by a slim lead, is in actuality a significant victory. Against his candidacy were the powers of the incumbency, the behind-the-scenes machinations of Iran, and the influence of Shia religious leaders who are interested in seeing Iraq become an Islamic republic.

Voting as they did, Iraqis have made a compelling argument that they are first and foremost nationalists, Iraqis first. Iraqis do not like Iran. Iraqis also cast aside a view that the country is inclined toward a Islamic republic. Rather, Iraqis are saying they want a secular republic, that Islam should stay in the mosque and stay out of the government.

From the aspect of the Iraq campaign, this result is extraordinarily successful. Think: America came to Iraq with the intent of changing the political OS (Operating System). It is not like going from Windows 3.1 to Windows 7; actually the change is from MS-DOS to Ubuntu 9.10. Is this easy -?-NO, is it pretty -?-NO. Is it happening – YES. Nobody said democracy (with a small "d") is easy, governing democratically is a habit, and habits must be learned.

For many, comparing the Iraqi effort vis-a-vis democracy in England, Australia, India or America is but a pale pale reflection. But I'll suggest to you that Iraqis are well on their way toward establishing the first Arab representational government in the middle east. This is not small feat, as governments as widely Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria see such a development as a threat to their very survival.

In Iran, where Persians generally believe they are the smartest in the region, if not the world, there is great concern. The Iranian government is concerned that an Iraqi representational government is building its civil structures on the western border (and a somewhat tainted representational government is building structures on the Eastern border). Also, highly educated and very smart Persians are agitating for the SAME human rights that Iraqis (and to a lesser extent Afghanis) now enjoy. "HEY – WE ARE PERSIANS, how can the ARAB Iraqis have, by degrees, increasing political freedom and we remain under the thumb of the mullahs !?" This is not an unreasonable questions for long-suffering Iranians to ask. Likewise it is a very important question that we ourselves should be asking.

Nature or nurture—do we believe that political freedom as expressed through democratic institutions and traditions is the best form of human government?

I believe that, do you?

If you agree with me, then we must ask ourselves why is it that Arab Muslims, and Persian Muslims do not have such. Are they incapable? Is democracy inconsistent with their cultural DNA; that is are they literally incapable of managing their own civil institutions in a democratic framework? Or is it that they have always been nurtured otherwise. This is the great question.

Not working – HA! The election process is working better than anyone's reasonable expectation. It is an extraordinary great pleasure to witness this change first hand. (iii)

(i)I came to Iraq in February 2004, and have been physically located inside Iraq for 48 of the last 72 months.

(ii) My observations are just another opinion, sure, but perhaps a view not heard elsewhere. These are personal comments which do not reflect on any organization or government.

(iii) I wrote this Easter Sunday afternoon (4 April), after experiencing the multiple car bombs earlier that morning. Those attacks, while horrific, and the all of the earlier attacks, have not stopped everyday, ordinary Iraqis from going to the polls and doing their civic duty. These Iraqis appreciate and want the gift of political freedom that America and allies, through a sacrifice of of almost 5000 Coalition military (almost 4400 US) and numerous civilians, have given. May they all Rest In Peace, secure in the knowledge that their ultimate sacrifice, not only is not in vain, but has made possible the most revolutionary change in the middle east in over a millennium.

Take good care,
Sandy
Submitting....

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Reader comments (26) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
U.S. Once Again Provokes and Incites Via Appropriation -- And Not Sale By the Iraqi Government & People [448 words]Renee BouvierFeb 8, 2012 18:49193222
Now AP is reporting on the wasted millions in Iraq [18 words]AmesAug 29, 2010 15:55177432
Fact checking: what is the source of your information? [343 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
EuniceMay 15, 2010 17:03172728
Grand Designs for Democracy [169 words]The Masked LobbyistApr 28, 2010 15:43171811
The US Embassy Baghdad & the Election result; a different perspective [953 words]Sandy dazeApr 4, 2010 22:29170948
Iraq [51 words]Joe Six-PackApr 3, 2010 12:57170909
Maybe Iraqis weren't suited for Democracy... Yet. [101 words]HansApr 5, 2010 14:05170909
On the other hand [122 words]yuval Brandstetter MDApr 1, 2010 14:51170860
White elephant [165 words]moApr 3, 2010 13:32170860
Yuval Brandstetter's suggestion is right on the dot [315 words]PPSApr 3, 2010 15:09170860
2White elephant [128 words]Charles LightApr 1, 2010 06:28170844
Typical, unfortunately. [24 words]Jack KinchMar 31, 2010 16:00170830
The trailer manufacturer, a Saudi company [36 words]yuval Brandstetter MDMar 31, 2010 13:12170826
Why were we there in first place? [291 words]BruceMar 31, 2010 11:19170821
I agree with you but I have addition [51 words]Sohel Ahmed BahjatMar 31, 2010 09:42170818
Absurd embassies [59 words]JamesMar 31, 2010 09:15170817
Iraq, What's Next? [185 words]Leonard MarkowitzMar 31, 2010 07:14170815
This is the building standard for the Middle East [406 words]Ken Besig IsraelMar 31, 2010 01:24170799
Plain Common Sense [89 words]ZentristMar 31, 2010 00:07170798
Different Opinion [42 words]Craig JohnsonMar 30, 2010 23:26170796
1If the complex is kept, maybe part of it could be a school to teach Iraqis about democracy and freedom. [47 words]Phil GreendMar 30, 2010 22:46170794
Not just a white elephant [161 words]Rebecca MouldsMar 30, 2010 19:52170791
Deviation of CAsh [151 words]T & JMar 30, 2010 19:11170789
problems, of course, but the election results are promising [115 words]JeffMar 30, 2010 16:00170783
In my honest opinion. [26 words]WinstonMar 30, 2010 15:11170780
Reality is in the eye of the beholder [61 words]paul GertzMar 30, 2010 14:10170777

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