posted on Nov, 5 2004 @ 12:11 AM
At least there is a new concept being applied here.... it can remain simple!
Iraqis Say U.S. Should Talk More, Shoot Less
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Leading Iraqi politicians called on re-elected President Bush on Thursday to rely more on talks and less on the gun to solve
Iraq's problems.
The United States should stop acting like an occupier, hand more control to Iraqis and stop backing a security apparatus that could start resembling
that of Saddam Hussein, they said.
"American use of unchecked force will not work. Look at the security forces that have multiplied in the past few months. The result has been less
security, not more, said Haidar al-Ubadi," a senior official in the Shi'ite Al-Dawa party, which worked with U.S. and British forces after last
year's Iraq war to peacefully stabilize several Iraqi cities.
"There cannot be two democratic standards, one for America and one for the Third World," he said. "Bush's policy of relying on the military and
allowing former ruling Baath party members back is stifling society."
Although Iraq's government has been trying to co-opt former Saddam loyalists by offering them jobs, it has failed to convince former Baathists in
Sunni regions such as Falluja west of Baghdad to lay down their arms.
Officials say followers of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi are also in Falluja.
CIVILIAN DEATHS
Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid al-Bayati said the insurgency was partly due to mistakes Bush made earlier.
"Using force that kills civilians on a large scale is a mistake. The logic of occupation must end. Bush's main mistake was not to let an Iraqi
provisional government take power after Saddam was toppled," he said.
"The resistance operations were seen coming as soon as the United States kept acting as an occupier. The solution now must include the Americans
lessening their presence on the streets."
Iraq's Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said force must be used against those who have attacked civilians and want power through violence. Hundreds
of civilians have also died in U.S. attacks on Falluja and other cities this year.
Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim al-Jaafari said he understood Bush's view that the country had to be secure before Iraqis could assume more control, but
that loss of civilian lives could undermine this position.
"We now look forward for Mr Bush and the international community to realize their promises on sovereignty, prosperity and stability," Jaafari told
Reuters.
"Force is the last option, and it has to be confined (to being used) against those who are callously killing Iraqis."
Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, who was sidelined after opposing U.S. attacks to crush Shi'ite rebels in the holy city of Najaf
three months ago, said Iraqis have to take of their share of the blame for the chaos.
"Iraq is George Bush's baby and I think he remains committed to a federal, democratic Iraq," he said, "The performance of the interim government
is worrying."
11/04/04 17:06
I hope the right people are listening!