Despite deposing and executing Saddam Hussein, on the pretext of "democratising" Iraq, it seems that the US mission to bring "freedom" to the people of Iraq has failed.
The Washington Post reports that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is using special forces to deal with demonstrations in Iraq:
"Witnesses in Baghdad and as far north as Kirkuk described watching last week as security forces in black uniforms, tracksuits and T-shirts roared up in trucks and Humvees, attacked protesters, rounded up others from cafes and homes and hauled them off, blindfolded, to army detention centres."
Out of the ashes of one dictatorship it seems that a new one is emerging.
As I have noted several times before, you cannot impose democracy on a society or country using the barrel of a gun.
Showing posts with label Nuri al-Maliki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nuri al-Maliki. Show all posts
Friday, March 04, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Democracy Is Not a Quick Fix Panacea
The people of Iraq are learning that democracy is, in itself, not a quick fix panacea for a nation's ills (especially if there is a culture of corruption and nepotism firmly embedded in that society).
The head of Iraq's parliament has called for new provincial elections within three months, in the wake of anti-government protests across the country. The protests are in response to endemic corruption, a lack of basic services and the unapproachability of the Iraqi government based inside the fortified Green Zone where the US embassy is also based.
Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, undoubtedly fearing that he and his associates might be next in the "Jasmine Revolution" has given his cabinet a period of 100 days to shape up or ship out.
As to whether this is merely window dressing, for the benefit of a media headline, only time will tell.
The head of Iraq's parliament has called for new provincial elections within three months, in the wake of anti-government protests across the country. The protests are in response to endemic corruption, a lack of basic services and the unapproachability of the Iraqi government based inside the fortified Green Zone where the US embassy is also based.
Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, undoubtedly fearing that he and his associates might be next in the "Jasmine Revolution" has given his cabinet a period of 100 days to shape up or ship out.
As to whether this is merely window dressing, for the benefit of a media headline, only time will tell.
Monday, October 04, 2010
The Last Chance for Democracy
Despite the Iraq invasion being sold to the public as being for the "democratisation" of Iraq, it seems that "democracy" is still having trouble taking route in that wrecked country.
Ninevah provincial Gov. Atheel al-Nujaifi (a Sunni) issued a warning over the weekend that "last chance for democracy" could be derailed, if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (a Shiite) retains power by making alliances with hardline Shiite factions and Kurds.
Democracy cannot be enforced on a country by outsiders with the barrel of a gun, the citizens of that country have to be left to find their own path to democracy.
Ninevah provincial Gov. Atheel al-Nujaifi (a Sunni) issued a warning over the weekend that "last chance for democracy" could be derailed, if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (a Shiite) retains power by making alliances with hardline Shiite factions and Kurds.
Democracy cannot be enforced on a country by outsiders with the barrel of a gun, the citizens of that country have to be left to find their own path to democracy.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Chaos
Nouri al-Maliki's, Iraq's Prime Minister, attempt to crush militia strongholds in Basra is failing; members of his own security forces defected and districts of Baghdad fell to Shia militia gunmen.
The Times notes that:
"In Baghdad, thousands of people marched in demonstrations in Shia areas demanding an end to the Basra operation, burning effigies of Mr al-Maliki, whom they branded a new dictator, and carrying coffins with his image on it."
There is now a the very real danger of civil war in the South.
Bush supports al-Maliki's tactics, referring to them as "bold".
Being bold is all very well, but competence is also required.
The Times notes that:
"In Baghdad, thousands of people marched in demonstrations in Shia areas demanding an end to the Basra operation, burning effigies of Mr al-Maliki, whom they branded a new dictator, and carrying coffins with his image on it."
There is now a the very real danger of civil war in the South.
Bush supports al-Maliki's tactics, referring to them as "bold".
Being bold is all very well, but competence is also required.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Maliki Asks Bush To Hand Over Chemical Ali
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has formally asked President Bush to hand over Saddam Hussein's cousin, "Chemical Ali", and two other former officials sentenced to hang for the 1986-88 crackdown against Kurds.
The US is, quite rightly, refusing to hand over the men until the Iraqi leadership agree as whether the executions should be carried out or not. Were the US to give in to the Prime Minister's request, it would provoke a backlash from Sunni Arabs.
Maliki has accused unnamed politicians of interfering in the legal process for personal reasons, and insisted that Sunni politicians had no right under Iraqi law to pardon or ease the sentences of people convicted of crimes against humanity and condemned.
The US is, quite rightly, refusing to hand over the men until the Iraqi leadership agree as whether the executions should be carried out or not. Were the US to give in to the Prime Minister's request, it would provoke a backlash from Sunni Arabs.
Maliki has accused unnamed politicians of interfering in the legal process for personal reasons, and insisted that Sunni politicians had no right under Iraqi law to pardon or ease the sentences of people convicted of crimes against humanity and condemned.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hanging Delayed
The stay of execution for Chemical Ali, and two other ex members of Saddam Hussein's inner circle, remains in place; as the US continues to hold them and will not hand them over to the Iraqis, until a legal row is resolved.
US spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said:
"There continue to be differences in viewpoint within the government of Iraq regarding the necessary Iraqi legal and procedural requirements for carrying out death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
Coalition forces will continue to retain physical custody of the defendants until this issue is resolved."
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, is less than pleased with the US policy wrt this matter. On Sunday he accused the US embassy of playing an "unfortunate role" in preventing the handover of the three. He added that his government was "determined" that the executions be carried out.
However, the irresistible force appears to have met the rock in the form of Nantongo who said:
"There is still discussion within the government of Iraq over the legal requirements in this case. We are waiting for the government to come to consensus as to what their law requires before preparing a physical transfer."
Two members of the presidential council, President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi have refused to sign the execution orders.
This stand off is not due to end anytime soon.
US spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said:
"There continue to be differences in viewpoint within the government of Iraq regarding the necessary Iraqi legal and procedural requirements for carrying out death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
Coalition forces will continue to retain physical custody of the defendants until this issue is resolved."
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, is less than pleased with the US policy wrt this matter. On Sunday he accused the US embassy of playing an "unfortunate role" in preventing the handover of the three. He added that his government was "determined" that the executions be carried out.
However, the irresistible force appears to have met the rock in the form of Nantongo who said:
"There is still discussion within the government of Iraq over the legal requirements in this case. We are waiting for the government to come to consensus as to what their law requires before preparing a physical transfer."
Two members of the presidential council, President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi have refused to sign the execution orders.
This stand off is not due to end anytime soon.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
The Disunity Government of Iraq
Those of you who still believe that the current political situation in Iraq is viable, in the long term, may need to revise your opinions.
Another nail has been driven into the coffin of the "unity" government of Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, as five ministers withdrew from cabinet meetings. This is less than a week after the main Sunni Arab bloc quit.
Nearly half, that's 17 in total, of al-Maliki's cabinet have now quit or are boycotting meetings. There are no longer any Sunni members of cabinet.
Al-Maliki has been accused of not responding to demands for political reform.
The only way to force political compromise and action, from the "unity" government, is to withdraw the military support it receives and relies on from the US; ie the troops should be withdrawn.
Another nail has been driven into the coffin of the "unity" government of Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, as five ministers withdrew from cabinet meetings. This is less than a week after the main Sunni Arab bloc quit.
Nearly half, that's 17 in total, of al-Maliki's cabinet have now quit or are boycotting meetings. There are no longer any Sunni members of cabinet.
Al-Maliki has been accused of not responding to demands for political reform.
The only way to force political compromise and action, from the "unity" government, is to withdraw the military support it receives and relies on from the US; ie the troops should be withdrawn.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Draft Oil Law
Iraq's cabinet has approved changes to a draft oil law, and sent it to parliament in an attempt to curb the sectarian violence.
Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, said it was the "most important" law in the country.
"The law was approved unanimously ... it was referred to the parliament which will discuss it tomorrow.
I call on all our partners in the political process and in this national unity government to respect this deal."
However, the Kurds have said that they had neither seen nor approved the final text of the law and might oppose it.
The Kurdistan regional government said it would reject the latest text, if it made "material and substantive changes" to the outline agreed upon during weeks of protracted negotiations.
For the Iraqi people, time is running out.
Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, said it was the "most important" law in the country.
"The law was approved unanimously ... it was referred to the parliament which will discuss it tomorrow.
I call on all our partners in the political process and in this national unity government to respect this deal."
However, the Kurds have said that they had neither seen nor approved the final text of the law and might oppose it.
The Kurdistan regional government said it would reject the latest text, if it made "material and substantive changes" to the outline agreed upon during weeks of protracted negotiations.
For the Iraqi people, time is running out.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Trial Verdict Unsound
Human Rights Watch has driven another nail into the credibility of the "coffin" of Saddam Hussein's trial. They have stated that the trial was "fundamentally unfair", and that the death sentence he received earlier was "indefensible".
The damning indictment comes in the form of a 97 page review of the trial. In which they state that the trial:
"was marred by so many procedural and substantive flaws that the verdict is unsound."
The report calls upon the Iraqi tribunal to overturn the verdict, and its death sentence on Saddam.
Unsurprisingly the Iraqi government has rejected the report.
The report notes that the prosecution undermined several guarantees necessary to a fair trial under international law, including; the right to an independent and impartial court, the presumption of innocence, the ability to prepare a defence and the right to cross-examine witnesses.
Nehal Bhuta, a lawyer with the group's International Justice Program, in a statement accompanying the report said:
"Unless the Iraqi government allows experienced international judges and lawyers to participate directly, it's unlikely the court can fairly conduct other trials."
The report accuses the Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, of prejudicing the outcome of the trial by declaring Saddam guilty before the trial.
Quote:
"While the trial of someone as notorious as Saddam Hussein will inevitably be accompanied by strong opinions and public discussion as to his guilt or otherwise, public authorities and in particular leading political figures are not relieved of their obligation to refrain from prejudicing the outcome of the trial.
In creating an environment in which judges feel intense pressure to be seen as dealing severely with the accused, such behavior undermines the guarantee of presumption of innocence at trial."
To replace one unjust system (as under Saddam) with another is hardly progress, nor should it warrant the exaltation "Mission Accomplished!".
The damning indictment comes in the form of a 97 page review of the trial. In which they state that the trial:
"was marred by so many procedural and substantive flaws that the verdict is unsound."
The report calls upon the Iraqi tribunal to overturn the verdict, and its death sentence on Saddam.
Unsurprisingly the Iraqi government has rejected the report.
The report notes that the prosecution undermined several guarantees necessary to a fair trial under international law, including; the right to an independent and impartial court, the presumption of innocence, the ability to prepare a defence and the right to cross-examine witnesses.
Nehal Bhuta, a lawyer with the group's International Justice Program, in a statement accompanying the report said:
"Unless the Iraqi government allows experienced international judges and lawyers to participate directly, it's unlikely the court can fairly conduct other trials."
The report accuses the Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, of prejudicing the outcome of the trial by declaring Saddam guilty before the trial.
Quote:
"While the trial of someone as notorious as Saddam Hussein will inevitably be accompanied by strong opinions and public discussion as to his guilt or otherwise, public authorities and in particular leading political figures are not relieved of their obligation to refrain from prejudicing the outcome of the trial.
In creating an environment in which judges feel intense pressure to be seen as dealing severely with the accused, such behavior undermines the guarantee of presumption of innocence at trial."
To replace one unjust system (as under Saddam) with another is hardly progress, nor should it warrant the exaltation "Mission Accomplished!".
Friday, October 20, 2006
Iraq's Prime Minister Calls For Execution
During yesterday's session of Saddam Hussein's trial, witnesses described their suffering during their detention in a desert prison in southern Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Abdullah Said Muhammed, 79 years old, said that his village was attacked by chemical weapons.
Quote:
"We ran away from poison gas and fled the area to a nearby village."
He noted that the Iraqi forces then arrested the fleeing people and threw them to prison, where they endured bad sanitary conditions.
Said added that approximately 1,800 people died in Nugrat al- Salaman prison, during the four months of his detention, "I myself helped bury 20 dead prisoners, including eight of my relatives."
Baqer Qader Muhammad described his suffering in the Nugrat al-Salman prison, saying that he and many other detainees were infected with diarrhea as a result of the dirty water.
The trial has now been adjourned until October 30th, to give the defendants time to contact their lawyers.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Wednesday:
"God willing, the trial will not continue for a long time and shortly a death sentence will be passed against his crimes, along with his aides and the criminals who worked with him.
With his execution, those betting on returning Saddam to power under the banner of the Baath Party will loose."
As Prime minister he should not openly interfere in the trial, by stating publicly his wish to see a death sentence, prior to a verdict being delivered.
He is hoping against hope, that the execution of Saddam will stem the tide of violence that is engulfing Iraq. I suspect that it is too late for that, and that the eventual "solution" to the violence will be the partition of Iraq.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Aziz Testifies
Tariq Aziz, one of Saddam Hussein's closest henchmen, took the stand last Wednesday to defend his former boss.
Aziz said that the government of the day reacted lawfully during the attacks against the state and government, including the 1982 assassination attempt against Hussein.
Aziz claims that he was never told by the other defendants about the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail, following the assassination attempt. He took the view that "no one is guilty of anything", and that the enforcing of law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz said that Barzan Hassan, the former head of the secret police, would have told him if Hassan or the intelligence agency had been torturing people. Aziz also testified that former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan had nothing to do with the crackdown.
Aziz claimed that the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tried to kill him and Saddam during that period, and said that dozens of students were killed then.
Quote:
"I'm a victim of criminal acts committed by a party presently in power now. Try them."
How the worm has turned.
Aziz said that the government of the day reacted lawfully during the attacks against the state and government, including the 1982 assassination attempt against Hussein.
Aziz claims that he was never told by the other defendants about the crackdown against Shiites in Dujail, following the assassination attempt. He took the view that "no one is guilty of anything", and that the enforcing of law by the government is not a crime.
Aziz said that Barzan Hassan, the former head of the secret police, would have told him if Hassan or the intelligence agency had been torturing people. Aziz also testified that former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan had nothing to do with the crackdown.
Aziz claimed that the Dawa Party of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki tried to kill him and Saddam during that period, and said that dozens of students were killed then.
Quote:
"I'm a victim of criminal acts committed by a party presently in power now. Try them."
How the worm has turned.
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