Cablegate: Daily Iraqi Website Monitoring - October 25, 2005
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 004391
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P
E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - October 25, 2005
SUMMARY: Discussions of Amr Musa's visit to Iraq; Ba'ath-
inspired violence; and preparation for December elections
were the major editorial themes of Iraqi, Arabic language
websites on October 25, 2005. END SUMMARY.
-------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-------------------------------
A. "Musa's Visit to Iraq: Important Results" (Iraq 4 All
News, 10/25)
B. "The Same Ba'athist Executioner" (Elaph, 10/25)
C. "Arrest Al-Dhari and Save Iraq Before It Is Too Late"
(Sawt Al-Iraq, 10/25)
D. "How Do Our National Government and Political Forces
Prepare for the Coming Elections?" (Iraq Al-Ghad, 10/25)
----------------------------------------
SELECTED COMMENTARIES
----------------------------------------
A. "Musa's Visit to Iraq: Important Results"
(Editorial from Al-Ahram Newspaper, posted on Iraq 4 All
News - http://iraq4all.org/viewnews.php?id=10442)
"The Arab League Secretary General's visit to Iraq and his
discussions with many Iraqi factions were vital, as he
produced significant results regarding Iraqi stability and
security. This tour contributed to the restoration of
confidence between Iraqis and the Arab world after a period
during which some Iraqis called for their country to pull
out of its Arab surroundings.
"It has also established the basis for an active Arab role
in the Iraqi political scene, which should help direct
political events and end violence. This visit is not the end
of the road, but the beginning of an Arab effort to support
Iraqis and leave current conditions behind so they can
regain their independence and stability.
"In addition to what was mentioned above, Musa's talks with
different Iraqi groups played an important role in achieving
just enough agreement to hold an accord conference in Cairo
next month. This conference, with sufficient preparation,
should push Iraqis of different political, religious, and
ethnic backgrounds toward a common political vision for
their country's future. It will be based on preserving the
unity and sovereignty of Iraq and consolidating the
democratic process that guarantees the coexistence of
different groups. Coexistence will be based on citizenship
rather than ethnic and religious differences and it will
ensure equality among all Iraqis, without exception."
B. "The Same Ba'athist Executioner"
(Editorial by Balqes Hameed Hasan - Elaph - "Consensus" -
http://www.elaph.com/ElaphWeb/ElaphWriter/200 5/10/100522.htm
- London-based electronic newspaper published by Othman al-
Omeir, former Saudi editor of Asharq Al-Awsat and Al-
Majallah)
"Many Arab political analysts and members of the media mock
us when we say that Ba'ath party remnants are behind the
majority of terrorist attacks in Iraq and that without their
support for terrorists the continuous bloodshed and
explosions would not be possible. At the same time, these
same Arabs accuse us of treason and standing with
Americans-only because we want to build our country with a
democratic government elected by the people, as in any other
civilized nation.
"The situation in Iraq confirms Ba'athist involvement on a
daily basis. They issue statements in the name of Izzat
[Ibrahim] Al-Duri and others, conduct kidnappings here and
there, gamble on civil war, spread chaos, and attempt to
topple the new government.
And today they request the aid of their old Arab allies,
including politicians, and call for intervention in search
of reconciliation that will provide them with the
opportunity to reassume power and spread terror once again.
"How can anyone believe in the innocence of Ba'thists, given
the brutal killings of children, workers, and policemen and
the abduction of scientists, intellectuals, and politicians?
How can a foreign terrorist settle in Iraq and carry out his
crimes without the assistance of people living in the
country? Can such a terrorist cross the border with an RPG
launcher or any other heavy weaponry? Where did the weapons
of the former Iraqi army disappear to? Who took billions of
Iraqi funds from banks? Don't any of these questions qualify
as evidence for those who defend and sympathize with
Saddam's gangsters?
"Arabs should know that no one can remove the bitterness
from the hearts of Iraqis who witnessed death
everyday.Iraqis have no struggle amongst themselves; the
struggle is between victimized people and criminals. How can
Iraqi blood be subject to bargaining?"
C. "Arrest Al-Dhari and Save Iraq Before It Is Too Late"
(Editorial by Hassan Al-Zameli - Sawt Al-Iraq - "The Voice
of Iraq" - http://www.sotaliraq.com/articles-
iraq/nieuws.php?id=18041 - Produced by Faili Kurds, not
affiliated with any political party)
"This bastard dog and non-human is still crying at the top
of his lungs against Iraq and Iraqis. He instigates and
encourages terror with the assistance of Jordan and Saudi
Arabia. Amr Musa sent a signal to America that security
instability is governed by Egyptian intelligence. How come
we did not hear any car bombs exploding next to Amr Musa's
residence in Iraq, but when his visit ended the wave of car
bombs started again? Isn't this a reason to reject the
conference that they call `reconciliation' unless the Arab
League condemns all explosions, terrorism, killings and
destruction in Iraq?
"Put Al-Dhari in the prosecution's cage with his disgraced
master and you will see the source of the crime. America
does not want to arrest Al-Dhari because conspiracy theories
about the blood of innocent people will be revealed. America
should know that if people's patience runs out, they will
drown in their mistakes and, at that point, everything will
be out of control."
D. "How Do Our National Government and Political Forces
Prepare for the Coming Elections?"
(Editorial by Dr. Abdul Khalik Hussein - Iraq Al-Ghad -
"Iraq of Tomorrow" -
http://www.iraqoftomorrow.org/viewarticle.php ?id=index-
20050110-28495 - Self-proclaimed independent, national
electronic newspaper, promoting the spread of democracy and
supporting federalism in a united Iraq)
"Iraq is set to hold parliamentary elections on December
15th, 2005 to elect permanent National Assembly members if
the draft constitution is ratified, or a new temporary
National Assembly if the draft is rejected. Do officials
prepare for these desired elections, which we want to be
another step on the path toward democracy and the
establishment of a modern state? There is not doubt that
elections are an important part of democracy; there is no
democracy without elections; however, there can be elections
without democracy. In the Ba'ath era there were elections
without democracy. Now, in Iraq, there is a project to build
a true democratic state; therefore, there are elections to
choose municipal councils, local governments and the
National Assembly.
"But democracy loses its value if it is not accompanied by a
popular perception of its importance to the democratic
system.Political awareness must be promoted, or else
democracy will be a means to serve political elitists who
know how to manipulate people's emotions and feelings. The
deposed fascist regime worked to deprive people of any means
to learn about democracy. All media outlets were controlled
by the ruling party, which sought to mislead people and
spread fascist principles and individual worship. This led
to paralysis of the mind, dependency, and carelessness and
it undermined self-confidence. Ultimately, Ba'ath rule led
to human destruction.
"The ad hoc terror and spread of organized crime with which
Iraqi people must live is proof that the new era was
inherited from the former era. It is time for officials,
political leaders, and cultural, social, and media
organizations to play their roles in spreading political
perceptions. They must educate citizens about their rights,
duties, and responsibilities toward their compatriots and
nation."
SATTERFIELD