A FORMER Iraqi prime minister who is tipped to return as a “strongman” leader if Baghdad’s faltering government falls has challenged the American-led coalition’s objective of creating a western-style democracy even though the country is in turmoil.
Allawi said that he had told friends in the West that they could not “photocopy” their democratic systems and impose them on Iraq and the Third World. With sectarian violence spiralling out of control and the government of Nouri al-Maliki unable to stop it, Allawi said that various political groupings were discussing alternatives.
Allawi, 61, said the current crisis could be not be allowed to continue. Last Tuesday more than 100 people were kidnapped in broad daylight from an education ministry research institute by Shi’ite militiamen wearing police uniforms. On Wednesday 105 people died violently, 54 of them tortured and shot. “Things cannot be left as they stand now,” said Allawi.
Allawi believes that if the militias refuse to halt their violence they should be wiped out. “We need to have a strong core of military and police loyal to the country with a clear cut leadership who can implement law and order in the country and take the militias out — by force if necessary, if dialogue fails,” he said.
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