No elections will be credible while occupation continues

[donsu]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1667430,00.html


Iraq's current political process will not solve the crisis. Only a US and British pullout and a UN sponsored poll can do that


-long snip-

For the political process to succeed it must proceed in a healthy environment which will take shape only when occupation comes to an end. The solution to the Iraqi problem, in the view of the Association of Muslim Scholars, is simple and logical: it is one that fully complies with international legality and would serve to reinforce it; that would put an end to the daily haemorrhage of Iraqi blood; that would lay the foundations for a state of law that protects the rights of all its citizens and seeks to secure basic human dignity; that provides an alternative to occupation, as explained in the memorandum we submitted to the United Nations and the Arab League.

This solution must be based, first, on an announcement by the US and its allies of a timetable for withdrawing their troops. Second, it would entail replacing the occupation forces with a UN force whose main task would be to fill the security void. This would be followed, thirdly, by the formation of an interim Iraqi government for six months under the supervision of the UN in order to conduct genuine parliamentary elections in which all parts of the Iraqi population would take part. Finally, the duly elected Iraqi government would take charge of the task of rebuilding the country's civil and military institutions.

Nothing will work in Iraq unless the root of the problem is addressed: the occupation must end.
----------------------------

I agree

[johnnyburma]

1. Just Curious as to Which Election You'd Consider More Credible

The estimated 80% turnout of eligible voters yesterday or the 30% that turned out in the Venezualan election?

[donsu]

2. we are not occupying Venezuala - can't compare the two

nt

[No Exit]

4. Where are you getting your figures?

And do you have a problem with the current Venezuela government?

Because I don't. Being an American, for my entire life, I have been schooled that all socialism, Marxism, communism, etc., etc., etc., is bad and evil and death-producing and horrible.

I have heard it over and over and over and over and over.

I look at Hugo Chavez. I look at your president, George W. Bush.

Who am I going to believe--American propaganda, or "my own lying eyes"?

In case you haven't noticed, the U.S. has been taken over. We are now ruled by the fifth column--the neocons, which republicans in the U.S. have, by their support, placed in power. Thanks a whole lot, republicans. (Full disclosure: I voted with them in 2000. I didn't know.)

So I think it's time to stop wringing our hands about how bad communism or socialism or Marxism or Chavez is. What we have is a thousand times worse.

[No Exit]

3. Oh--you were talking about Iraq.

I thought you were talking about how no U.S. elections will be credible as long as the repukelican occupation continues. :)