US must pay for mistakes in Iraq

THE EDITOR: I am writing in response to Ted Rall’s August 15 article entitled “Bring Home the Troops”. Mr Rall reasoned that it makes no sense for the US to continue its occupation of Iraq. (Well, what does one expect? Didn’t they receive training from the Israeli army in occupation tactics?). Mr Rall claims that the US will not be able to build Iraq to even a shadow of its former self. That is indeed true. However, it would be absurd, selfish and unreasonable for the US to just pick up everything and leave. I believe that the US owes Iraq a huge debt. The US had absolutely no reason to attack Iraq. There was no proof whatsoever of weapons of mass destruction, no invitation by the Iraqi people to deal with Saddam Hussein, and basically no reason whatsoever other than to give the US access to Iraq’s huge reservoir of oil. The world spoke out and decried the war. Even our Prime Minister stated that Trinidad would not support any war that was not authorised by the UN. But Mr Bush did not listen. Now, I believe that the US must pay for its mistakes. In my opinion, the rebuilding effort has failed because the US has not put enough resources into the operation, whether pre-invasion planning or post-invasion control. It is US pride that has made them so hated among Iraqis. We hear of innocent Iraqis being shot by indifferent US soldiers every day (actions mirroring Israel’s shooting of innocent Palestinians).

We hear of a people who are living for months now without water and electricity. We hear of the rapes, the looting and the general lawlessness the Iraqi people face. If the US Government had cared at all about the Iraq people, this would never have happened. Even with the war, if the US Government had really put the focus on rebuilding Iraq, the Iraqi people would have seen a real difference. Now, look at the mess the Americans have caused. At this point in time, the US Government has a lot of apologising to do. They cannot simply remove their troops and leave a power vacuum in Iraq. If they do so, they must ensure that there is a potent security force of Iraqis to help ensure at least a reasonable amount of security for the people. Secondly, they must work with either the UN or the other Arab countries with Iran to ensure that some form of governance is put in place. Thirdly, the US Government must pay the new government retribution money as a result of the wrongs the US Government have done against the Iraqi people. As it is, Mr Rall’s request is fair, to protect the lives of the American soldiers, there is no escaping the huge hole that Bush has dug under the American people, and the US must pay that debt.

TAARIK Z RAHAMAN
San Fernando