Avoid the Iraqi Quagmire

Not strange, but perplexing things are happening in the world today. All these began with the Anglo-American ill-design on Iraq. First came the propaganda, involving even naked lies, that Baghdad had deadly weapons of mass destruction. Then a battle of sort began at the United Nations, too shameless to die an honourable death. The “grand coalition” of England, America and Spain demanded the UN to sanction war against Iraq. France, Russia and Germany allied to frustrate the American designs. Meanwhile the Anglo-American alliance had positioned their troops to invade Iraq. Sidelining the UN, they occupied Iraq after a brutal bombing campaign.

The occupation started yet another sordid drama at the UN. The UN the US did not bother about, while attacking Iraq, again became important, for the Anglo-American alliance approached it to sanctify their occupation. Surprisingly, the “grand opposition alliance” of France, Russia and Germany caved in as quickly as Baghdad had fallen earlier. The recolonization of Iraq was given the UN approval without any feeling of shame. A few intellectuals cried foul, here and there, but their protest proved to be a feeble voice in the wilderness.

Saddam was a brutal dictator who killed his own people, so said the pro-US Western media. But what the Americans are doing today, firing at protestors, killing dissenters and bombing the freedom fighters, is neither being reported honestly nor criticized adequately. The anti-occupation people are called al-Qaeda members or Saddam loyalists which is reason enough for the US to kill them. They are neither being arrested nor tried but are bombed to death for committing the biggest crime of being anti-occupation.

Such scenes were not uncommon in many countries, including India, during the first half of the 20^th century. Then, as now, the anti-colonial struggle was terrorism which must be eradicated to save the “civilized world”. Today, too, the “civilized” Americans are trying to save the world from the Iraqi barbarians. Being barbarians, they do not deserve any better treatment than being subjected to all kinds of humiliation and oppression. Indeed the “Western civilization”, as represented by the US and UK, is showing its true colour on the streets of Baghdad today.

No crime is committed by the West without a ‘good’ reason. The Anglo-American forces have occupied Iraq for liberating its people. The world is amused to witness the kind of freedom the Iraqis have been given. No one is safe in Baghdad, not even the well-armed Americans. In fact, there is no law and order in major parts of Iraq including Baghdad. Not surprisingly the Iraqi people have started raising their voice against the occupation forces. Indications are that there might erupt a full-fledged rebellion against Anglo-American occupation.

People do well what they believe in or what they are interested in. Americans are neither interested in freedom nor in maintaining law and order. Instead, they are interested in Iraqi oil which they are all set to export.

But all is not well for the Americans right now. Though still unorganized, the Iraqi resistance is making things difficult for Washington. On an average almost one American soldier is being killed daily which, if continues for some more time, will force the American people to take to the streets once again.

Such is the state of affairs in American-occupied Iraq today. Military victory was relatively easy but maintaining the occupation is proving to be difficult and costly. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Americans are putting pressure on India and other countries to contribute their armed forces for policing the troubled Iraq.

American request or pressure is understandable but what defies logic is the stand of some intellectuals and a section of the establishment that aligning with the US would be in India’s interest. As they say, the US will put pressure on Islamabad to stop cross-border terrorism; it will further strengthen the growing Indo-US relations; and last but not the least, it will bring economic rewards for India. When such great benefits are for grab, it would be foolish even to think of legality or morality of sending troops to Iraq, they further argue. One can only pity the presence of such elements in our country. Materialists as they are, they can’t see beyond their noses. One must realize that Iraq is a freedom loving country, and they would not hesitate from killing our soldiers if they replace the Americans for maintaining occupation over their country. Would it indeed be wise to risk the lives of our soldiers to help the US and suppress Iraq’s freedom struggle.

[June, 2003]