From Mr M. Megawer

The Iraqi people have suffered for so many decades under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein that their going in huge numbers to vote is further evidence of their thirst for freedom and democracy. It was not surprising that the first leader of the world, Mr Bush, declared the election a resounding success, after insisting that elections were to be held notwithstanding the violence and lack of security. The American President also stated that it was a historic moment for the Iraqis, as they were writing their own future, adding that the world is now hearing the voice of freedom from the Middle East.

One wonders what kind of freedom and what kind of democracy, if the voters did not even know the full details of the candidates and they never saw their electoral programmes. Even the candidates avoided public appearances because of the lack of security.

What kind of freedom and democracy, if international observers monitored the elections from the Jordanian capital Aman some 1,000km away?

During an election in a democracy, do you see some 120,000 policemen and national guards at the polling stations? What about the location of the 9,000 polling stations that were kept secret until election day? Can one have free elections when the Interim Government is a puppet in the hands of the American administration?

Just imagine 250 inexperienced politicians - Shias, Kurds, Chaldeans, Turcomans and some Sunnis - all with sectional interests, trying to agree and draw up a national Constitution in just seven months. This impossible task can't even be carried out in the USA or the EU, but it could happen in Iraq if Mr Bush wants it to happen!

The Arab League pointed to the violence and intimidation in Iraq and insisted that no election could be free with 150,000 coalition troops occupying Iraq. The organisation of the Iraqi election was more of a military campaign than an election held in the free world. The Iraqi election was an election held in fear and shrouded in secrecy. Is this democracy, or perhaps this is freedom? Is this a free voice from the Middle East?

One sincerely hopes that the Iraqi election will bring the Iraqi people closer by breaking the long standing sectarian tensions between the Sunni and Shia communities that can easily lead to civil war. Hopefully, the Iraqi election will be a reason for optimism and a prescription for instant peace between people fractured by racial, religious and clan rivalries.

Moustafa Megawer

QAWRA