US paving the way for democracy

THE EDITOR: Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have been able to see, via the international media, the deteriorated infrastructure in Iraq created by years of neglect by the Ba’ath Party regime.

Even before economic sanctions began, the regime failed to maintain essential power, water and sanitation systems. This neglect has had a disastrous effect on the health of Iraqis. The under-5 child mortality rate, for instance — which had fallen from 83 deaths per 1,000 in 1980 to 50 per 1,000 in 1991 — surged to 133 per thousand in 2001, according to the World Bank. The United States and the coalition forces have begun to focus on the rebuilding of Iraq. Retired General Jay Garner recently addressed the citizens of Iraq and communicated to them that the coalition forces are visitors who want only to help the country begin the process of rebuilding and establishing an interim authority — then leave.

Garner is reiterating the position of the United States government that the coalition’s purpose after helping to liberate the country from the repressive regime of Saddam Hussein is to provide Iraqis the opportunity to take control of their own destinies. Power, water and sanitation systems are now being systematically put back on line by coalition members working side by side with highly skilled Iraqi technicians using supplies and equipment donated by Iraqi citizens and coalition members. Ministries are being re-opened. Bridges are being rebuilt. Life is being restored.

Democratic societies like Trinidad and Tobago will appreciate the work the coalition is doing to create an environment for the establishment of democracy, one that would include women and members of all religions. Already political parties are being formed and the Iraqi people are feeling the freedom to speak out about what they want for their futures. Democracy — the right to disagree — is a fundamental property of freedom; and the coalition will not engage in actions which discourage people from voicing their opinions. It is only a matter of time before the citizens of Iraq, like citizens of this country and free societies throughout the world, will feel free to choose a government by free and fair elections.

Iraqis, also, are already participating in public religious ceremonies long banned by Saddam, something that most of us in this part of the world take for granted. Most Iraqis now welcome and greet Garner and his deputy Major General Tim Cross of Britain as they tour the country. They realise that the coalition will stay only as long as needed to get the country’s economy going — and to get Iraq’s oilfields producing again with revenues benefitting the people. The reconstruction teams will rid the oil-for-food programme of the internal corruption left over from Ba’ath Party rule. The party diverted large sums of money from feeding the Iraqi people to party members’ personal gain. One result: at the beginning of the 1990s, seven percent of Iraqis were malnourished. By 2000, 27 percent were, says the World Bank. Garner plans to continue holding “town hall” meetings throughout the country where local businessmen, dignitaries, politicians and ordinary citizens can voice their wishes for their country, building a democracy from the grassroots up.

While visiting the secular, autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, Garner congratulated its citizens on progress they have made since 1991 in establishing democratic self-government. He suggested their “spirit of free Iraqi people” could be a model for the rest of the country. Even in grade schools students learn a curriculum of democracy, demonstrating the region’s wishes for a future democratic society. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, the coalition and all free people of the world will welcome a democratic Iraq based on human rights and equal rights into the global community of countries where “a mosaic” of citizens — not ruthless dictators — make the decisions.

ROY  L  AUSTIN
US Ambassador
Port-of-Spain