Contributing in Ballot Vote to Determine a Committed and Booming Iraq

By: Baqi Barzani

1/21/2005

Volatility, terror, intimidation and suppression by ex-tyrant Saddam Hussein culminated in 70 percent of the general public not to chip in national referendum. From tip to toe, political authority in Iraq was set under the authoritarian “Baath party” system subjected by Saddam. This occasion, contrary to the October 1995 non-democratic " referendum" on  presidency, in which the dictator absurdly received 99.96 percent of the vote , a  referendum which  included neither secret ballots nor opposing candidates , the Iraqi people would  be assigned the  transition of authority overall , handover of sovereignty and the right to  decide how and whom by they would be ruled. The upcoming election is the initial move to represent the unity and harmony of the Iraqi opposition units and is also a “giant leap” in achieving a peaceful democracy. Exclusive of any favoritism, prejudice or rebuttal among the diverse ethnic or religious groups, all Iraqi citizens equally reserve this fundamental human right to take part in the reformation of their country. Be it Sunnis, Shia’s, Kurds and Christians; Islamists, Secular democrats or communists. Our fake adherents intend to derail Iraq’s movement toward democracy. They prefer not to see a victorious and democratic Iraq due to their own opinionated objectives. They threaten to boycott the voting, fund insurgency obliquely, and add to the turmoil. Iraqi masses have been denied, afflicted, detained, massacred, intimidated, and subdued by the tyrants, totalitarian and one-party regimes for an extended period of time. They can not simply be misled or cowed by militant or terrorist bullying to proscribe the elections. Do we wish Iraq to become the arsenal of terrorism, importer and exporter of nukes, bio weapons and missiles again or a unified democratic beacon of freedom? As members of this society, it is a moral and legal obligation upon us to join in the most operative part of this liberty. Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. To express our loyalty and patriotism to our homeland and to shape our collective destiny, we, as Iraqi expatriates need to be in the lead to designated polling sites to voice our opinions.  

More pivotal post- election mission to be achieved is the modernization and solidity of Iraq as assured. Americans have already offered adequate devotion to liberate us from autocracy and Tyranny. This very grueling affair is not doable lacking the commitment of international community. Following the January 30th elections in Iraq, crucial initiatives should be implemented to set up an improved security coordination and management system for Iraq. Emerging Iraq is in desperate need of a full range of infrastructure products, public policies and services, controlling political and economic systems including: a managed health care system, hospitals, road and rail machinery, oil production tools, and fine finance and advanced telecom systems.

The quality of education needs to be enhanced, unemployment minimized, local food production industries upgraded, power facilities and electrical grids be restored, oil and gas supplies nurtured, airports, roads and its schools rebuilt.

We appeal to the world community, to all peace loving, secular and democratic countries, to all individuals, groups and organizations that stand for justice, equality, religious tolerance and human dignity to join the coalition forces in their humanitarian, dignified and valued operation.