Iraqi grumbling over the status if their new democracy continues with this article by columnist Abdul Sattar Ramadan of Iraq’s Azzaman newspaper. While criticism of the United States for withdrawing continues, the attention of much of Iraq’s now free-wheeling press has shifted to Iraqi politicians who ‘have imposed and set themselves above Constitution, the law and first and foremost, the people’s will and the results of the elections.’
Informing us about a ‘secret letter’ from President Obama to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Azzaman columnist Abdul Sattar Ramadan writes in part:
The worsening situation in Iraq was highlighted by a secret message said to have been sent by U.S. President Obama to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In an attempt to break the political gridlock, President Obama reportedly urged Sistani to convince Iraq’s feuding politicians to form a new government without delay. The fact that neither White House officials nor Sistani’s representatives will confirm or deny the existence of such a letter shows that the U.S. administration is losing influence over Iraq’s political leaders, and has begun seeking to put leverage on other centers of power, which the Americans think can better influence the rapidity of forming a new government.
Between the public report of the U.N. Secretary and Obama’s secret letter, we can see how dismal and complex Iraq’s situation has become. And this, despite the fact that the Iraqi people have done what has been asked of them, standing up against threats, terrorism and all the enemies of the new Iraq, having participated in their millions by voting on the Constitution and in the first and second National Assembly elections. Sadly, however, the political class hasn’t stepped up to offer an equal measure of sacrifice and abide by the choices made by Iraqis through their ballots.
Is there any country in the world, five months after the results of an election have been announced, where its leaders are still negotiating? Meanwhile, the Iraqi people are living in 122-degree temperatures without water or electricity. Allah only knows what they could possibly be discussing at this late hour – and what are they attempting to agree upon.
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