Reply #24: Check international sources for news [View All]

[ultraist]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/71ED4EC3-4552-40B9-BB67-D0D9DB43FC0D.htm
Saturday 29 January 2005, 18:33 Makka Time, 15:33 GMT

Iraq elections will take place as scheduled not because this is the ideal option to restore the country's security, stability and political process, but because it suits the interests of certain local and international forces. Those forces believe that holding elections while the country is in chaos will be of less harm to them than holding elections in the future once the security situation has improved, and people feel comfortable and can see things more clearly.

Holding elections in a chaotic Iraq will not be free from gloomy consequences for the political process in the future. The elections, after all, will mark the birth of a new political system - one which will draw a great deal of controversy. It is obvious the US administration, especially after the escalation of anti-US resistance operations, is unhappy with the escalating cost of fighting an unexpected guerrilla war. And with hopes of resolving the crisis and controlling the deteriorating Iraqi situation fading, this administration is now willing to turn its back on the Iraqi case.

The elections are by no means an indication that the US is considering a pullout. In fact, it wants to reduce its military presence in the country by withdrawing from the major cities, particularly the defiant ones.

This step is vital for the US forces in Iraq to avoid ever-growing casualty figures among personnel. This strategy will put Iraqis in danger rather than US soldiers. Eventually, the fight will become Iraqi-Iraqi instead of US military-Iraqi