A Divided Nation (from two Canadians in Iraq)

   Submitted by Siriel Admin on 2004 Jan 1 - 3:23pm 

   [Themes:  | Canada & Québec | Irak | Iran | USA (États-Unis) | •Causes & solutions | •Soc: Associations | ::Relations mondiales:: ]

By Julie Hrdlicka and Noel Ainsley. They are members of Canada Democracy and International Law (CANDIL) and have returned from a two week fact finding mission in Iraq on December 14th.
For more information you can contact them at infocandil.ca
    
This article examines the major findings of our recent trip to Iraq. The main purpose of our trip to Iraq was twofold. First of all, we were there to listen to voices of the people of Iraq, who have been continually left out of the equation in regards to the future of Iraq. Second of all, to see how Canada can play a role in improving the crisis in Iraq. The information gathered will help CANDIL formulate its policies in regards to Iraq.

The situation in Iraq is deteriorating day by day and is now on the brink of civil war. One of the main reasons for this is the deepening divide between the ethnic, religious and geographic communities. This segregation of the people is being deliberately encouraged by the policies of the American administration.

The stated reason for the policies are in order to protect the rights of those minorities who suffered under Saddam. While this may be a seemingly worthy intention, the execution of these policies has seen the removal of rights and voice from other parts of the population (e.g. the Sunni Muslims). The administrations now familiar style of black and white, them or us, is a concept that is new inside Iraq. The U.S. government, preying on our ignorance of Iraq, would have us believe this was always a divided nation. While talking to local Iraqis, we found this to have never been an issue. When it came to Saddam’s brutality, no one was safe.

To imply that all Sunni supported Saddam, because he was Sunni himself, is both incorrect and dangerous. This attitude towards Sunni is reflected in their meager representation on the General Council and their exemption from the newly proposed Militia. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) has asked five members of the General Council to form this Militia. And all five members are Shiite and some have close ties to Iran. This further removes the involvement of Sunni’s in the future of the country and increases the divide both geographically and religiously between communities in Iraq.

Many Iraqis now fear Iran’s behind the scenes involvement in Iraq. The Iranian government has an obvious interest in a destabilized Iraq, as this removes the possibility of the U.S. turning their attentions towards them. This involvement by Iran is a major force behind a possible civil war.

This apparent push towards civil war has two obvious benefits for the American administration. First of all, the worsening situation for the people of Iraq acts as encouragement for the international community to get involved. Second of all, if this encouragement fails, civil war gives the U.S. government an opportunity to withdraw. Neither of these two outcomes is acceptable, as one gives the administration legitimacy and the other leaves the country in turmoil.

To avoid this situation, the international community must demand the withdrawal of U.S. troops and deploy a full humanitarian and peace-keeping mission. It is time for the international community to speak as one and intervene before inadequate U.S. foreign policy destroys a nation. – - –
Siriel-Admin : This text was first posted as Urgent-Prevention, but the situation in Iraq has reached a peak of violence for many months now.