Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BAGHDAD4172
2005-10-10 18:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - October 10, 2005

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 004172

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - October 10, 2005

SUMMARY: Discussions of civil status law in the draft
constitution; civil democratic participation; and Iraq after
the referendum were the major editorial themes of Iraqi,
Arabic language websites on October 10, 2005. END SUMMARY.

--------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--------------


A. "Apprehension . in Overtime" (Iraq 4 All News, 10/10)

B. "Don't Rip Down the Constitution Advertisements" (Watan 4
All, 10/10)

C. "What Comes After the Constitutional Referendum" (Sawt Al-
Iraq, 10/10)

SELECTED COMMENTARIES
--------------


A. "Apprehension . in Overtime"
(Editorial by Fatih Abdul Salam - Iraq 4 All News -
http://iraq4all.org/viewnews.php?id=10280 )

"I was listening to Iraqi President Jalal Al-Talabani's
speech, at the Churchill Hotel in London, about supporting
the constitution when an Iraqi lady asked: `What will the
role of civil status laws be in dealing with women if the
constitution permits courts to determine laws
independently?'

"This question has special impact because it comes at a
critical time, only a few days before the constitutional
referendum. It seemed to reveal a great deal of anxiety
about the many possibilities to which the constitution could
lead. The constitution opens the door to many
interpretations and would require an authority greater than
the constitution to sort out the loose ends.

"This clever question was presented by a desperate woman who
knew that no answer could be found in `overtime,' and
millions of uneducated women will face the same question in
coming days. A woman in an ethnically and religiously
diverse society may not be able to guarantee her freedom of
choice over the religious court that represents her,
especially if members of her family oppose that option. And
this is only one simple example of potential consequences
overlooked by the constitution.

"This lady's question draws attention to the fact that the
constitution's articles cannot protect Iraq from division,
nor can any other political hero. From an international and
political point of view, Iraq is not divisible, but we
should be wary of internal differences that would leave
Iraqis uneasy regarding their social relations, as well as
their civil rights, which could affect their families and
society.

"Civil status laws have been suppressed; there was no

official declaration announcing their elimination in favor
of an agreement that does not seem to be very strong.while
not very weak either."


B. "Don't Rip Down the Constitution Advertisements"
(Editorial by Hamza Al-Shamkhi - Watan Lil Jamee - "Homeland
4 All" -
http://wattan4all.com/viewarticle.php?id=5646 &pg=articles )

"A referendum in any country, including Iraq, is a
reflection of the democracy we all seek after an era of
single-party dictatorship, accompanied by wars and
destruction. Iraqis have the date of October 15th for their
constitutional referendum; it will provide Iraqis with the
opportunity to exercise their natural right to say `Yes' or
`No' to the constitution, representing one stage of
democracy.

"Regrettably, we have seen and heard of organized groups
that are ripping up referendum advertisements and posters in
Iraqi cities in an attempt to terrorize and harass voters.
They serve the interests of the enemies of Iraq and the
democratic transformation; they are trying to escalate armed
attacks and drag the country back to the times of
dictatorship and war. At the same time, parties, political
groups, and personalities have the right to oppose or
express reservations over certain items of the constitution
and they have the right to educate people to vote `No' and
work to reach suitable alternatives. After that, Iraqis can
choose their constitution freely and transparently instead
of tearing down referendum advertisements, fighting voters,
and using other methods that contradict a human's rights to
vote and choose.

"We should all stand in the face of these uncivilized and
undemocratic methods that seek to deprive our nation of its
right to choose its political path in the present and
future, and derail the political process of Iraqis who seek
a free, democratic, and federal Iraq. You should vote `Yes'
or `No' instead of tearing down referendum and election
posters."


C. "What Comes After the Constitutional Referendum?"
(Editorial by Saif Allah Ali - Sawt Al-Iraq - "Voice of
Iraq" - http://www.sotaliraq.com/articles-
iraq/nieuws.php?id=17074 )

"It is undoubtedly a sacred national duty for all Iraqis to
vote in favor of the constitution; this will occur despite
all the impediments to democracy and freedom that were set
by enemies in Iraq, enemies in other Arab countries, and the
Persians. This constitution will be accepted because it
meets all aspirations of the Iraqi people who offered
sacrifices for this great day. These sacrifices forced the
most powerful country in the world to interfere to root out
the regime that planted itself in Iraq after it [America]
witnessed the injustice of Arab rule over Shiites and Kurds.

"I am absolutely sure that America participated with all its
might to save Iraq from Arab bastards; it brought in the
Iraqi opposition parties who fled Iraq because of the former
regime's oppression. It [America] formed a short-term and
low-risk government knowing that most of its members were
fortune seekers despite their patriotism; it gave them the
opportunity to rule until the referendum.

"After the referendum a new government will be made of
`native' Iraqis only [as opposed to those who were living
abroad] with foreign advisors. America will kill two birds
with one stone: first it will curb the `foreign' government
on the basis that it ruled long enough and proved its
failure; second it will give the `native' patriots the
chance to run the country on the basis that they are more
aware of the problems than those who were abroad. This will
bring stability to Iraq because it will satisfy all `native'
parties. It is certain that the `native' government will
strike with an iron fist everyone who toys with Iraqi
security, especially if the government is a permanent
elected government."

KHALILZAD