A dim future for Iraq [Archives:2003/686/Viewpoint]

The conditions in Iraq are extremely volatile and unpromising. A friend who has just returned from Iraq told me that security conditions in Baghdad have reached a level in which people cannot dare to leave their homes after sunset, sometimes even in Ramadan.
The activities in public are scarce, and people do not feel secure. Robbers, murderers, and criminals are moving around the country freely and can strike any time without being chased or punished.
“You feel that you are your own protector. The conditions are extremely complicated. Imagine that you cannot guarantee that you will be killed for your money at any time, and cannot expect the poor police forces to help you out,” he said. Furthermore, weapons, which are the only means that can be used to protect property and lives, are now confiscated by the US occupation forces, subjecting families to possible intimidations by other armed bandits.
Then he referred to the fact that the judicial, and law enforcement authorities in the country are very weak and unorganized, making it virtually impossible to apply punishments against culprits and criminals. “You just need to prevent bad things to happen to you, because once they happen, you cannot expect them to be resolved.”
What the country is going through now makes Iraqis start to feel like they have a dim future ahead. US forces and Iraqi people are being killed every day. Basic services are still not fully available to the public, especially those in remote areas, who have suffered the most during this time because of district patrols and checkpoints.
What Iraqis want right now, according to my friend, is that they be given the security they used to have during Saddam’s regime. Most Iraqis do not want Saddam to return, and would love to have democracy in their country. But more and more people are beginning to feel that the bill to be paid may be too high. “We cannot jeopardize our security and well-being for democracy and elections. There are priorities!” my friend added.
This view is quite common throughout Iraq, and particularly in the areas that have been affected most by the violence (mid-Iraq). The idea behind building a country based on democracy cannot happen unless people feel they are safe and secure. They go on voting for elections if their lives are continuously threatened and are harassed every once in a while by security forces searching their houses.
Only the Americans can made the difference in the world and bring the sense of optimism of Iraqis to a higher degree. They can do this by speeding up the process of providing security and basic services to the Iraqi people. They can simultaneously turn over more authority and power to Iraqi hands. This will make the people think that after all, the country is slowly regaining its confidence and status as a secure and well-established country.
But if things go on as they are today, this may lead to an explosion of hatred and disgust against American forces, making things worse for all sides.
Could the American administration figure it out before it is too late?
I hope so!
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