A Way Out
Iraq nowdays January 13th, 2008While having a discussion at 24Step blog, I managed to gather up some ideas in the form of definite steps to take Iraq out of the violence.
It sounds more like a dream to me than a true applicable agenda. Despite that, I would like to share these steps with you because I see it as a non-violent way out.
1. The rise of public awareness in Iraq about the importance of voting in a non-sectarian, non-tribal, objective way. This can occur through non-biased media, which is very rare.
2. Protests against the current electoral committee and demand its change with a one that is FULLY controlled and run by the UN. And the new committee should participate in the electoral education of people.
3. Cut-out all the bad guys off the Iraqi Police and Army. This can happen by appointing non-sectarian ministers and giving them full authority over their ministries. And a better solution would be the one I mentioned before.
I have a wild suggestion although most people won't like it and I would really like to see the Americans leave Iraq.
My suggestion is to hand the ministry of defense and the ministry of interior to the Americans. And the Americans should have secular consultants that run the whole show behind the curtains. Maybe six months would be enough to eliminate all the bad apples there. And add the right "Awakening" guys to the security forces in a balanced way.
I know its not going to happen. But I believe its a good way out. If this handover period is run in the right manner, we will not have the battle over power anymore.
Once the Iraqi forces are clean, there will be a real fight of all Iraqi people against terrorism, not a hidden war of sects. And this step would regain the trust of the public in the security forces. Afterwards, when a decision is made to disarm everyone but the government security forces, people would cooperate.
4. When a new non-sectarian government takes over (yeah sure), they should bring to court of justice each and every corrupted official since 2003 until now. And they should be punished with the law's maximum punishment for their crimes. This way, no government official would think that he's above the law.
5. Follow the law. It drives me crazy that the same government that passed many laws since they came in power are not abiding the very same laws. Many laws governing the financial and managerial aspects of the government are being violated everyday. The government, before the public, need to learn to abide the law.
6. Boycott ALL sectarian media. Each and every media mentioned that this person who got killed or kidnapped is Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish, Christian, or whatsoever need to be boycotted. This will lead to de-attach the hatred emotions related to a certain wrong doing to a certain sect. People need to understand that there are good people and bad people, and there is no such thing as a good sect, relegion or ethnic group and a bad one.
7. If the parliament is seriously honest to find a solution, they should call for an early elections within the next few months.
I have much more in my dream, but its just a dream after all. And nothing will really happen.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
New peacfull solutions is indeed the way to go BlogIraq!
Here are some of my solutions which I just today updated with your input about changing current electoral committee:
http://talkingaboutiraq.blogspot.com/2007/04/conflict-transformation-by-peaceful.html
Peace/Nadia
January 13th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Very interesting points you pointed at, but who’s going to make them happen. I think they are very important to bring security to Iraq. Too bad that all same ugly faces will be running for the next parliament elections. My hope is that people might learned their lesson and that they can now think of whom to vote for instead of just following orders from any religious or sectarian group like what happened in the last elections. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. I am definitely voting for the seculars.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Nadia,
I think everyone should come to a conclusion that the Americans managed to move the war from occupants vs. anti-occupants war, to a sectarian internal war. And in this kind of war, violence is just not the solution. Well studied steps should take place. But this requires objective people who really look for the best for the country as a whole, not to themselves.
BT,
Welcome back in my blog my friend.Its been a long time since your last visit here. And as we say “Chalib il 3adhak kitalnah”.
Man even if we crossed our heads its not going to happen. You, I, and many people know better than that. So many sides are making benefit out of the deterioration in Iraq starting from the government officials, the contractors, Iran,..and many others.
Regarding the elections, if the same electoral committee is to be in-charge, believe me it makes no difference whom would the people vote to, the parliament goes to the highest bidder.
January 14th, 2008 at 2:32 am
Hi BlogIraqi,
If I don’t leave a comment, it doesn’t mean I don’t read your posts! I have been reading your entries since you came back from your last visit to Baghdad. I just didn’t really have the time to post comments. A lot of things are going on in my life right now, not to mention how school and my job on campus are taking most of my time. I am graduating this semester and hopefully, I’ll be more active when I graduate
January 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Blog Iraqi,
Just wanted to let you know that you’re on our blogroll over at Iraqi Bloggers Central. It’s also nice to see you on the comments page here and around the Iraqi blogosphere.
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January 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
BT,
All the best wishes in your school. Balancing job and study is not an easy thing, ask me. I worked all the time during my MSc and PhD time, thank God it did not affect my study, and I wish it does not affect yours.
Jeffery,
Thank you for the reminder. Since my “Argument” with CMAR along time ago, I avoided writing comments in your blog, although I read most of your entries.