All Arabs and Muslims fear what will happen in American-occupied Iraq. We are not deceived about why the Americans occupied the country; it is certainly not for the benefit of the Iraqi people. We see that Iraq is experiencing terrible security problems and the occupying army does little beyond stand and watch. In addition, what is left of the former regime is fomenting other problems in Iraq. They have no qualms about what happens to the Iraqi people.

The old regime did a great deal of barbaric harm to the Iraqi people and the occupying army seems unable to erase the memories. These people are fighting hard to make trouble for the new elected council. I am sure that the occupiers could put an end to the problems, but they want the situation to remain in chaos. They wanted the Iraqi people to have weapons so they could fight each other.

The Iraqi people must realize this and refuse to allow the country to dissolve into chaos. The Iraqi people should realize that coalition forces are responsible for what is happening in their country. The coalition responsibility for Iraq’s problems should not prevent the Iraqi people from working together to put an end to their problems and prevent Iraq from being divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Leaders, both religious and tribal, must work together and shoulder their responsibilities and stop these plans to divide Iraq. They should increase awareness by the Iraqi people about American plans, and that Iraq will face even greater problems if the country is divided. The leaders must work together to keep Iraq united and maintain both peace and security.

The Iraqi people should also realize that they cannot replace one dictatorial regime with another. If Saddam violated their rights in the past, no Iraqi group should take on Saddam’s role and abuse any group or ethnic minority. These groups should not form armed militias in the belief that they are protecting people since that would encourage the formation of other militias, and soon there would be civil war. Iraq will be served only by a single army that includes members of all groups. Sectarianism will destroy Iraq and lead to disunity. Since 1958 the Iraqi people have suffered, and it is now time for all of them, from whatever group or background, to come together and rebuild their country.

- Arab News Local Press 9 September 2003