Straw: Why the ballot, not the bullet, will triumph in Iraq

[mogster]

Why the ballot, not the bullet, will triumph in Iraq

Jack Straw
Sunday March 12, 2006
The Observer

I have never had any illusions about the challenges facing Iraq and its people. When I spoke in the Commons debate which preceded the military action almost three years ago, I said it was the most difficult issue I had ever had to tackle. That remains true. But while I am clear about the difficulties, I am also resolute in my belief that those seeking to foment civil strife in Iraq cannot and will not succeed.

As I left Baghdad just over a fortnight ago, the adjective on my lips was 'optimistic'. It wasn't my word, but that of a Sunni leader. When I'd first met him, he had been hostile about the political process. He'd changed because he could see the prospects for his community from involvement in the process. Recent bombings have meant this sense of optimism has been jolted several times since then. In a terrible way, the attack on the Shiite shrine in Samarra, which provoked dreadful reprisals, was the terrorists' most revealing act yet. Even within the twisted logic of terrorism, on no basis whatever could it be justified.

More:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1729006,00.html
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On second thought; this is maybe not news, but commentary? Feel free to move :-)

[LynnTheDem]

1. Straw opens mouth, lies again.

October 2005; "Iraq stability could take 10 years"
Iraqis may have to wait up to 10 years before their country becomes a stable democracy, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C10%5C14%5Cstory_14-10-2005_pg4_1

[hobbit709]

2. Stable-maybe

Democracy-highly unlikely

[LynnTheDem]

4. Brent Scowcroft (R); "You're NOT gonna democratize Iraq"

Brent Scowcroft "Breaks Ranks" with George W. Bush

"She says we're going to democratize Iraq, and I said, 'Condi, you're not going to democratize Iraq,'

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001024.html

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. I hope and pray

he is correct. And I'd give an opinion, but I've never been there, know no one who has been there and can't add anything of value to the dialogue.

So I'll just hope and pray he is correct and it is over very soon.

[LynnTheDem]

5. He is 100% wrong.

As he has been 100% wrong all down the line.

[mogster]

6. Yes, besides we know all about the 'balllots' of these people

Don't we? ;-)

How come they can get away with being over-optimistic morons, when loss of life occur every day?
Not only Iraqi people, but UK/US personnel as well.

It's the self righteous tone I'm most against; the way they exonerate themselves and their actions when all facts point to at least a thundering blunder of gigantic proportions regarding Iraq.