Why Iraqis should boycott the election (al-jazeera editorial)

[madison2000]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D1C660D3-31C9-44C5-925F-4070AC17D606.htm

After carefully studying Iraq's situation, considering the military occupation as well as economic and national interests, we felt there were enough reasons for any patriotic Iraqi to boycott the proposed January election.

It is a violation of all international laws. International charters that regulate the relationship between occupier and occupied do not give occupying authorities the mandate to instigate a change in the country's social, economic and political structure.

The planned election will change the political composition of Iraq to suit the interests of the occupation authorities. The change will also lead to ethnic, sectarian and religious divisions that the Iraqi state and people had succeeded to avoid. Historically, Iraqis have been able to coexist and the spectre of civil war did not loom until the country was stricken by the US-led occupation.

Many Iraqi political activists believe the coming election results have been decided already. They also believe the electoral process will not be free and democratic but will be exclusively for those who maintain strong ties with the US occupation authorities. We feel that all steps have been taken to secure full US domination of decision-makers in Iraq.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. They think that the election results have already been determined?

Are they using Diebold for the Iraqi elections?

[madison2000]

2. The article suggests puppet candidates not fraud

"A look at the electoral process and the composition of the current national council reveals that the election's main mission will be to install some of the country's most notorious politicians who have constantly spoken proudly of their links to international intelligence agencies.

"We strongly believe that the main purpose of the election process is to secure a government that will facilitate long-lasting agreements with the US to keep its forces on Iraqi soil and transform the country into an American colony."

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Thank you for the information

but I was making a lame attempt at satire by my post.

[madison2000]

4. I wasn't sure

:crazy:

:tinfoilhat:

It could even be the optical scanners- or maybe Karl Rove has something being developed just for the new colonies?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. better to be sure

and you gave me new information, which I appreciated. :)

[drostie]

6. Heh, I wanted to post that, but I guess you beat me to it.

Geez, if the Iraqis feel that much like it's an occupation, how are Americans supposed to think that it's not?

At least you can use this as a talking point with your friends: freedom-loving Iraqi citizens have considered our presence occupation, and have opposed our forced elections on the grounds that they're immoral by international law standards.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

7. Check my satirical blog post..

..on this story:

http://mediaelite.blogspot.com/2004/12/al-jazeera-suggests-iraqis-boycott.html

:)

[Moderator]

8. Duplicate topic--Please continue discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=89713