Iraq and Arab League

IRAQ remains a quagmire, with several uncertainties adding to tension and the ongoing violence affecting the life all around. Will the Arab League intervention there make a difference?

Dear readers, another major US offensive against the rebel groups has concluded in Iraq's west, but the overall scenario remains bad. There is no perceptible let-up in violence even after two and half years of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein from power. A dictator's stranglehold on power has been ended, but the people are still in deep distress.

To add to the troubles, there is all-round confusion over the fate of the constitution referendum a week hence, and fears are that Iraq might eventually erupt into a civil war. Under the circumstances, even as a delegation from the Arab League arrived in Iraq yesterday, what can the organization do to change the scenario? Did the organization ever have an action plan on Iraq? Or, does it have one today? Or, did it make a success out of its plans elsewhere in the past? Why is it being dubbed as a "talk shop"?

The immediate requirement in Iraq is to end the lawlessness and violence there, and make the administrative mechanism work smoothly. People cannot live endlessly without basic requirements like water and electricity. Peace is a pre-requisite for progress. America has over 140,000 soldiers stationed in Iraq, who should have been doing a good job to rein in the militancy; but complaints are that they are playing it safe, for fear of loss of life, or whatever reasons.

The Iraqi government is not at all in control of the situation, as is reflected in the announcement yesterday that it will clamp down curfew, impose a weapons ban and close the borders in preparation for next week's referendum on the new constitution. Sections of the people are already threatening to defeat the constitution move by massively voting "no".

In the event, the whole exercise will have to be re-enacted with amendments, resulting in delay and costing more money to the exchequer. Why was it that the scope for consensus was not fully explored before the new constitution is put to vote? Now, while fears are that a civil war is in the making, the Arab League says it wants to avert such a disaster. But, why was it silent for so long, and why has it not effectively intervened in the past?

As the week-long US-led offensive in the west concluded yesterday, there were more violence in the rest of Iraq, including a suicide bombing in capital Baghdad that killed seven people. In casualties elsewhere in recent days, several US soldiers have been killed, alongside several civilians and so-called insurgents.

More than expecting any wonders from the Arab League, it is necessary that President Bush made a success out of Iraq, not just for Iraq's good, but also for his own good and for the good of the Republicans whom he represents. It will, in the event, also send the right signals for his democracy campaign in the Middle East. On his own the president does not have to face another election any more. But his success or failure in Iraq will be the yardstick with which the future will judge the Republicans.

Dear readers, it is important that Iraq does not end up in a civil war; it is also important that proper conditions are created for the people and the country to remain united, secular, and in once piece.

Iraq | Politics | |