The sirens are out in force demanding that the Americans leave Iraq — and to do so now. The US, by acting unilaterally and not calculating the consequences after an easy military victory, has only itself to blame. Many of those who tried to tell President Bush that his Rumsfeldian plan was flawed were branded enemies of freedom and/or cowards. Well, not many of us who opposed the war are either enemies of freedom or cowards. But when the mighty make mistakes, the less endowed will sing the song of Ulysses.
The Americans will leave Iraq. There is no question about that. If left to their own devices, they will probably do it sooner rather than later. So there is really no need to bang the drums and wallow in crude glee. There are people dying on both sides, and anyone who has an ounce of humanity in them would want this debacle to end in the best possible way.
For the sake of Iraq, its people, its resources, its geographic and political integrity, and for the wellbeing of the whole area, the Americans should not leave any time soon. What is done is done. The realities are too harsh to ignore. If America leaves Iraq the place will simply implode. Mayhem will rule and an ancient and great civilization will be left to the crude, the terrorist, and the bloodthirsty to take over.
Is it any wonder that the likes of Ahmed Chalabi are calling for their masters to leave very soon? This is another of America’s mistakes. Being Rumsfeld’s bosom buddy is not a qualification to rule a country the size and importance of Iraq. He wants the keepers out so he can become another dictator. That much is obvious.
It is also not enough to bring in the UN. The UN is in many places on earth and the fighting continues unabated. Global approval of America in Iraq is needed politically and morally to let the world and the Iraqis rest assured of American intentions.
With Rumsfeld as mastermind of this dubious plan, the world needs saner and more levelheaded assurances that matters will not spill over to engulf the world
No matter how “humbling” the fiasco is to the “victors”, the bloodbath in Iraq is a matter that is primarily humanitarian. While American and British politicians indulge in the causes and justifications of the war, the rest of us, especially the Arabs, should concentrate on the effects and the eventual results.
Much as America was wrong to act unilaterally, we are also wrong to think it can be done without American might and money. The Arabs should cooperate with America for the sake of Iraq if nothing else. There are visible signs that the Americans are willing to listen; it therefore behoves the rest of us to do likewise.
— Arab News Opinion 2 October 2003
