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Avoid the Iraqi Quagmire
by Ishtiyaque Danish
The
views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial
policy of the Newsletter (editor) Not
strange, but perplexing things are happening in the world today. All these
began with the Anglo-American ill-design on Iraq. First came the
propaganda, involving even naked lies, that Baghdad had deadly weapons of
mass destruction. Then a battle of sort began at the United Nations, too
shameless to die an honourable death. The “grand coalition” of
England, America and Spain demanded the UN to sanction war against Iraq.
France, Russia and Germany allied to frustrate the American designs.
Meanwhile the Anglo-American alliance had positioned their troops to
invade Iraq. Sidelining the UN, they occupied Iraq after a brutal bombing
campaign. The
occupation started yet another sordid drama at the UN. The UN the US did
not bother about, while attacking Iraq, again became important, for the
Anglo-American alliance approached it to sanctify their occupation.
Surprisingly, the “grand opposition alliance” of France, Russia and
Germany caved in as quickly as Baghdad had fallen earlier. The
recolonization of Iraq was given the UN approval without any feeling of
shame. A few intellectuals cried foul, here and there, but their protest
proved to be a feeble voice in the wilderness. Saddam
was a brutal dictator who killed his own people, so said the pro-US
Western media. But what the Americans are doing today, firing at
protestors, killing dissenters and bombing the freedom fighters, is
neither being reported honestly nor criticized adequately. The
anti-occupation people are called al-Qaeda members or Saddam loyalists
which is reason enough for the US to kill them. They are neither being
arrested nor tried but are bombed to death for committing the biggest
crime of being anti-occupation. Such
scenes were not uncommon in many countries, including India, during the
first half of the 20th century. Then, as now, the anti-colonial
struggle was terrorism which must be eradicated to save the “civilized
world”. Today, too, the “civilized” Americans are trying to save the
world from the Iraqi barbarians. Being barbarians, they do not deserve any
better treatment than being subjected to all kinds of humiliation and
oppression. Indeed the “Western civilization”, as represented by the
US and UK, is showing its true colour on the streets of Baghdad today. No
crime is committed by the West without a ‘good’ reason. The
Anglo-American forces have occupied Iraq for liberating its people. The
world is amused to witness the kind of freedom the Iraqis have been given.
No one is safe in Baghdad, not even the well-armed Americans. In fact,
there is no law and order in major parts of Iraq including Baghdad. Not
surprisingly the Iraqi people have started raising their voice against the
occupation forces. Indications are that there might erupt a full-fledged
rebellion against Anglo-American occupation. People
do well what they believe in or what they are interested in. Americans are
neither interested in freedom nor in maintaining law and order. Instead,
they are interested in Iraqi oil which they are all set to export. But
all is not well for the Americans right now. Though still unorganized, the
Iraqi resistance is making things difficult for Washington. On an average
almost one American soldier is being killed daily which, if continues for
some more time, will force the American people to take to the streets once
again. Such
is the state of affairs in American-occupied Iraq today. Military victory
was relatively easy but maintaining the occupation is proving to be
difficult and costly. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Americans
are putting pressure on India and other countries to contribute their
armed forces for policing the troubled Iraq. American
request or pressure is understandable but what defies logic is the stand
of some intellectuals and a section of the establishment that aligning
with the US would be in India’s interest. As they say, the US will put
pressure on Islamabad to stop cross-border terrorism; it will further
strengthen the growing Indo-US relations; and last but not the least, it
will bring economic rewards for India. When such great benefits are for
grab, it would be foolish even to think of legality or morality of sending
troops to Iraq, they further argue. One can only pity the presence of such
elements in our country. Materialists as they are, they can’t see beyond
their noses. One must realize that Iraq is a freedom loving country, and
they would not hesitate from killing our soldiers if they replace the
Americans for maintaining occupation over their country. Would it indeed
be wise to risk the lives of our soldiers to help the US and suppress
Iraq’s freedom struggle. (The author teaches at Hamdard University, New Delhi).
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