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http://www.epic-usa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=23 from Erik Gustafson of the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) February 8, 2005 Dear Friends: Despite the flaws and irregularities, last weekend's elections in Iraq went remarkably well. However some commentators (including dear friends) seem intent on seeing only failure in Iraq. Such a view undermines their credibility, ignores the genuine aspirations of millions of Iraqis, and is increasingly becoming a liability for those critical of the Bush administration. As Iraq advocates, we need to differentiate our feelings about President Bush from events in Iraq. More importantly, we need to recognize that the people of Iraq are not willing to be the passive victims of American imperialism, they are actively regaining control of their destiny. Throughout 2003, President Bush and his advisors resisted "early elections" in Iraq, claiming that without security or a census such an endeavor was neither desirable nor feasible. But Grant Ayatollah al-Sistani and other prominent Iraqi leaders sent millions of their followers into the streets, demanding elections as soon as possible. That led the Bush administration to concede to a nationwide vote by January 31, 2005, which was codified into law under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 and Iraq's Transitional Administration Law (TAL). Iraq's elections occurred despite the Bush administration, and only after mass Iraqi protests in 2003 (according to polls at the time, a majority of Iraqis supported early elections). This fact seems to have escaped most commentators, from the left to the right. The President's supporters talk of Iraq's nationwide vote as though it was always part of the Bush administration's master plan, while opponents like nationally syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington insist that "Iraq Is Still A Debacle." Without question, the Bush administration should not confuse Iraq's election (nor the U.S. election) as an endorsement of its pre-emptive invasion of Iraq nor its abysmal handling of the aftermath. Furthermore, without strong institutions and the rule of law, it is far too early to claim that the Iraqi people are free from tyranny and human rights abuses. The real test will be what happens next, after the elections. Nevertheless, defying very real dangers, millions of Iraqis have taken an important step towards a fully sovereign, representative government and a step away from continued U.S. control over their affairs. And that, we must acknowledge, is progress. Building on that progress, we now turn our attention on President Bush's request for an additional $80 billion for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The appropriations process provides a key opportunity to advance concerns regarding Iraq's election irregularities, widespread corruption (among U.S. and Iraqi officials and private actors), delays in training an Iraqi security force, high unemployment, setbacks in restoring basic services, the question of Kirkuk, and other challenges that will face Iraq's new interim government. This week's Dispatch examines Iraq's elections and "the day after", featuring a comprehensive round-up of the best reporting and analysis out there, from Pulitzer-Prize winning foreign correspondent Anthony Shadid to James Dobbins, U.S. Special Envoy in Kosovo, Bosnia, Haiti, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Sincerely, Erik K. Gustafson Executive Director Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) ==================== Another activist responds: From: steve kauder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Dispatch from the Education for Peace in Iraq Center [N]othing has occurred which could not have been predicted. The Shiites, dominated by the minority Sunnis since the colonial days, displayed a unity for this election as requested by their religious leaders. The question of sharing power with others and the question of who will be the ruling elite, secular capitalists or religious leaders looms as large as before the election and could be a contributing cause, if left unresolved,of civil war. What evidence gives reason to believe that the Shiites will not try to imbed their numerical voting advantage into a permanent structural advantage legitimized by constitutional language? The Kurds, victims of historical oppression in the region, had gained some autnomy in the presence of the U.S.occupation. However, they still have a huge unresolved refugee problem, refugees who claim that property held by Arabs is theirs by legal and moral right. They, furthermore, make it quite clear that they see this as an important step in building a grester Kurdistan, carved out of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. They also claim the oil fields to the north. The Sunni ... do not buy into this process. But, this is just the situation which prevailed before voting. Tell me, what progress are you talking about? _____________________________ Note: This message comes from the peace-justice-news e-mail mailing list of articles and commentaries about peace and social justice issues, activism, etc. If you do not regularly receive mailings from this list or have received this message as a forward from someone else and would like to be added to the list, send a blank e-mail with the subject "subscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or you can visit: http://lists.enabled.com/mailman/listinfo/peace-justice-news Go to that same web address to view the list's archives or to unsubscribe. E-mail accounts that become full, inactive or out of order for more than a few days will be deleted from this list. FAIR USE NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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