Wahib Binzagr, CBE

Millions of people around the world were relieved by the regime change in Iraq. Now, both those who supported the invasion and those who were against it are fearful that the confusion behind the invasion might turn ostensible liberation into lasting occupation.

The obvious requirement is for a police force to maintain law and order. The country is in dire need for the displaced members of the armed forces to build up the essential services. This approach will help to provide the people of Iraq with the essential needs: Water, electricity, sewage, roads and bridges.

Rebuilding the infrastructure of the country using the available resources will help to turn the people of the country into good citizens, instead of leaving them to loot one another or killing innocent members of the occupying forces. To engage a world-renowned US outfit in charge of this task is a commendable task. However, their strategy should not be to reward the parties that participated in the destruction of Iraq in their pursuit of the regime change or of finding weapons of mass destruction to justify the war. The Iraqi people must have a say in the management of these projects.The debt issue should be considered from a human perspective, and with participation from the Iraqis. Before any payment is considered it is only fair and reasonable that the manner in which it was built must be known. Debt, which was given to feed the people, is different from purchases of arms of mass destruction or enriching the dangerous people of the Saddam regime. The people of Iraq were attacked numerous times in the past. Enough is enough. Now mercy is very badly needed, even from their brothers in the region. Before they mobilize themselves to compete or collaborate with Western multinationals they should volunteer to join forces with their Iraqi brothers to assist in building the country. It is not enough to provide them with fish to eat. We should join forces to help them to fish. After over twenty years of suffering under Saddam, the Iraqis need help to stand on their own feet. If they cannot find such help from the liberators, their Arab brothers should be first to provide all the assistance they can.

Arab News Features 9 June 2003