Media Reaction: Iraqi Elections; Dhaka

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SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Iraqi Elections; Dhaka

Summary: All newspapers say that elections in Iraq will
lack legitimacy and deepen the crisis. Pro Saddam "Inqilab"
says the election will be identified as a black chapter in
history.

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IRAQI ELECTIONS
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"The vote in Iraq"
Independent English "New Age" editorially comments (1/30):
Iraqis go to the polling stations today in what the United
States sees as a decisive turning away from a horrible past
and the rest of the world reflects on in nail-biting
fashion. The crucial question now is whether the elections
will produce the kind of political stability the occupying
forces, led by Washington, have been looking for. A brief
response to that question comes in a rather convoluted
manner, which is that while the elections may yield a
government America considers legitimate, the reality on the
ground is that the political fragmentation in Iraq is too
deep to be papered over by an uncertain election. Many in
the West will expect Iyad Allawi's slate of candidates to
win, and well he may. But, again, there is always the
possibility of something different happening. The problem is
that with so many competing forces out there, and this being
the first electoral exercise Iraqis happen to be
experiencing, it is hard to speculate on what might actually
happen at today's voting.

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"What is this Election in Iraq?"
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Jugantor" editorially
comments (1/30):
The Interim Iraqi Prime Minister has also expressed doubt
about what percent of voters that will cast their votes in
elections. Tough security measures have been taken
throughout the country. Airports have been closed, a curfew
is imposed, and private transport is banned. All these
measures have also panicked the general voters.
International election observers are absent in Iraq. The
credibility of elections in this situation will always be in
question. A Shia and Kurd dominated general council will
not be able to pave the way for democracy or freedom in
Iraq. Elections that are being held in the face of Sunni
resistance will create a new crisis. There is no
controversy that Saddam's Iraq lacked democracy, but what
the occupiers are doing in the name of establishing
democracy will only deepen the crisis.
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"Farcical Election in Iraq"
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Amer Desh"
editorially comments (1/30):
At first, Iraq must be freed from foreign occupiers and U.N.
peacekeepers must be deployed there in place of occupation
forces to make elections meaningful. A meaningful election
can only be considered under the direct supervision of the
U.N. A democratic Iraq under the foreign occupation is an
absurd thing.
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"Farcical Election in Iraq"
Pro-Saddam Bangla language newspaper "Inqilab" editorially
comments (1/30):
Occupiers have been trying to incite a civil war in Iraq.
Iraq's future will plunge into serious uncertainty if their
attempts succeed. Today's elections of farce and the
"electoral" conspiracy will be identified as a black chapter
in history.

Thomas