April 20, 2003

It has been a month since the start of the aggression (war) against the Iraqi people and Iraqi regime by the most powerful army on earth. Due to this aggression many Iraqi civilians were, and are being killed. The Iraqi regime is no longer in existence, and most of its figures, are either killed, surrendered or are still in hiding!

No weapons of mass destruction were found, and the latest indication that it was destroyed by the regime of the Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein.

In the last month we have seen how the U.S. media lost its objectivity! How the former Iraqi Information Minister won the media war, and lost the real war.

We have seen the armless child, a victim of a US bomb that killed his entire family. We have seen the worst of the intellectually confused American Analysts. We have seen brave US soldiers defying all odds and heading toward Baghdad to either liberate it or occupy it; it depends on whom you ask!

We have seen an Iraqi revival and resistance. A resistance that held the occupying soldiers for days and days; and delaying the goal of capturing Baghdad in few days as early declared.

We have seen Iraq lose its history by looters who according to an Iraqi Museum official, " the looters, knew exactly what they are looking for" -- "they even had keys to the vault". This observation makes us wonder who is behind the theft of the Museum. Later we witness and hear three US Marines are arrested and investigated by US officials for trying to bring to the United States some of Iraq's wealth.

We have seen the Iraqi oil infrastructures protected by the coalition (invaders) forces, and the rest of Iraq left for looters.

We have seen war with its ugly face and tragic consequences. We have seen Holako, the Master of the Moguls return, Baghdad was burned for the second time in its history; this time on the hands of mutually intellectually confused leader, but unlike the uncivilized Holako, today's invader is surrounded by wicked and civilly, and humanly camouflaged intellectual advisors.

We have seen the strategic mistake of the US administration in invading Iraq being realized in Karbala. This Islamic giant that awoke Lebanon in the early eighties after the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon is being awaken in Iraq. Over five millions people came from all walks of life to celebrate and mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Messenger of humanity, Prophet Mohammed. The western media immediately played down the significance of such gathering, but, the fact is, this gathering surprised all decision makers of the powerful impact of the community in Karbala.

The Muslim community in Iraq, especially, in the cities of Karbala and Najef was oppressed by the Iraqi regime for over thirty years, some members of that community assert that they have never been asleep, actually, they have waged a guerrilla war against Saddam and his regime for years. The crimes committed by Saddam against this community confirm their assertion.

Now, as the US is the new temporary master over Iraq what should be done?

First, learn from the Israeli tragic experience in Lebanon. Israel killed too many civilians, occupied a large part of South Lebanon for over 22 years, and finally was defeated and left Lebanon as a loser; in turn the Palestinian Intifada was inspired by the Lebanese experience, and the Lebanese quagmire followed Israel to Palestine.

Would the US commit the same mistake?

We surely hope not! The administartion at this time should engage the Iraqis in a positive dialogue that assures the Iraqis with their independence within few months. Meaning, the US forces departing from Iraq within that time.

The Afghanistan experience cannot be used in Iraq; actually it was attempted with the arrest of Sheik Mohammed Fardousi, a representative cleric, who was arrested by US soldiers, he was beaten, his turban kicked to the floor and his head covered for hours. After a huge protest against the arrest of Fardousi the US soldiers let him go and apologized to him.

These kind of incidents should be eliminated, and the Americans must engage the communities in Iraq, and not impose an American supported government on them. Otherwise, this giant that has awaken will resist the occupier, and the historical experience showed no occupying power won against the resistance of the inhabitants. Beware of the giant!

Previously Written "Word of The Day"

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