Iraq, So Far
26 December 2005 10:29 am by Taylor Marsh
Iraq, So Far
Al-Sharq al-Awsat quotes an official of
the Iraqi Accord Front, Zafir al-Ani, as saying that electoral fraud in the
parliamentary elections of Dec. 15 was “the closest thing to a mercy killing
of the entire political process in Iraq.” He added that his Sunni fundamentalist
coalition was keeping all options open, including that of completely boycotting
that political process. He said that his list is getting enormous popular pressure
from Sunni Arab voters who were promised that voting on Dec. 15 would restore
ethnic and sectarian balance to parliament. JUAN
COLE
This isn't going very well, so far.
The Sunnis don't understand what voting is all about. Of course, there
is also the issue of alleged fraud. But the Sunnis are a minority, so they
are going to be “the opposition,” which they seem to have down, though
the “loyal” aspect is still in question. But the part about working
with the ruling majority seems to stick in their collective ego's craw. After
being in power for so long who can blame them? Democracy doesn't go down as
easily, especially when it's new, your on the outs and you're outnumbered.
Our job is to get in there and try to coerce secular changes in
the Iraqi constitution that protects minority rights, including women, though
the second sex isn't exactly a priority right now. Unfortunately, the majority
Shiites also have more than a few tribal grudges to settle. After being a persecuted
majority, the whole minority rights agenda isn't very moving to them.
The question is what kind of influence can the Americans affect
in Iraq, with so much bad blood coursing through the Iraqi culture?
The Sunnis, who estimate that they have received enough
votes to win approximately 40 seats in Iraq's 275-seat parliament, have publicly
denounced the vote, but privately are trying to negotiate for more seats.
A two-thirds vote can pass most changes in the constitution. Sunnis want to
amend it because, they say, it favors Shiites and Kurds.“There have been contacts,” with the Shiites,
“over how we will get out of this miserable crisis,” said Mahmoud
al-Mashadani, who is part of the main Sunni block.Still, he added that, “we will wait for the final
results. Maybe the Americans will apply some pressure.”
Shiites
Decline Sunni Bid for More Iraq Parliament Seats
If the political success of Iraq depends on American diplomacy
under George W. Bush, we're in for a rough winter.
