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| Iraq-Jordan |
| IWPR: Yawar Gets Mixed Reviews on the Iraqi street |
| 2004-06-19 |
| Iraqâs new interim president welcomed by many as a potential strong leader, although some see him as no more than an American agent. The appointment of a Sunni tribal leader and critic of the Coalition as interim president appears to have gone a long way towards convincing Iraqis that their country will have a strong leader after partial sovereignty is restored on June 30. Although he was a member of the Coalition-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, widely perceived as ineffective, Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar gained widespread domestic support for criticising the United States-led military actions and seeking greater sovereignty for the interim government. Many residents of Baghdad interviewed by IWPR believed that Yawar - a member of Iraqâs prominent Shammar tribe who wears tribal dress - could deal effectively with Iraqâs traditional society. "Choosing al-Yawar was quite clever, because he is a tribesman and can understand the mentality of Iraqi tribal society," said Ragid al-Suhail, 35, an immunologist at Baghdad University. "His qutra and ikal - headdress and headband - are a sign of Iraqâs Arabism and his adherence to it." We have the voter pointing out his/her intention to support a polititian based on how he dresses - can democracy be far off. Eighty-three year old Khairia Mahmoud said Yawarâs dress reminded her of Iraqâs former monarchy, whose members wore similar clothes. "He looks like the Iraqi kings," she said. "I hope Iraq can return to an era of love and prosperity under President al-Yawar." Camelot returning to Baghdad? Naseer Saleem Hesham, 26, said Yawar will need to prove himself a "fair and strong leader" by restoring security. But the unemployed science student added, "I believe he will succeed in his post.â "At last we have a president" said Awatif Mahmood, a housewife. "I think the new government... can apply democracy and freedom and make Iraq stable, safe and prosperous." Other Iraqis, however, were not convinced that the new government would be genuinely independent of the United States. Mustafa Ibraheem, 24, a security guard, does not recognise the new government, which he says âis composed of agents appointed by the Americans to serve their interests". He has this all wrong; the agents will serve the interests of the zionists. Ibraheem also disparaged the presence of exiles like Yawar in the new government. "I donât believe that those who came from abroad will feel our hardship and sufferings," he said. Former non-commissioned officer and car dealer Kareem Abu Layla, 44, said Yawar will not be able to make "free choices" because the "Americans are in full control. I want President Saddam Hussein back. Saddam Hussein And he made the trains run on time. Well, er, some of the buses were pretty much on schedule or we kicked the crap out of the bus driver. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #6 Oh yeah, you bet - hell, the guys I worked for in Saudi, leaving out the 4 deadbeat Saudis they had to carry on their payroll (50% of office), they had a budget line item for this. I was just a Contractor, so I wasn't privvy to what label they put on it or the amount. But knowing the guys I worked for, it was prolly something like Native Improvement Fund or similar. Something droll. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-06-19 11:54:16 PM |
| #5 Everybody loves dead Presidents heh. Wonder if the reporters have an expense account for that? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-06-19 11:47:15 PM |
| #4 Pappy - the $20 didn't hurt. Everybody loves dead Presidents. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-06-19 6:01:04 PM |
| #3 The guy is sticking his blanking neck on the line and you have some idiots pissin' and moanin' -- if you don't like the guy, don't vote for the guy in '05 -- savy |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-06-19 5:13:43 PM |
| #2 And the media always seems to find 'em... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-06-19 4:44:27 PM |
| #1 "I want President Saddam Hussein back. Gotta be one in every crowd. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-06-19 9:51:28 AM |