CAIRO: Arabs fear the United States is in Iraq to stay as Washington prepares to establish a civil administration in areas it has occupied since March 20.
“They’re going to stay for ages,” said Andrea, a 24-year-old graphic designer in Beirut. “They’re not going to go through all of this just to make the world better for the Iraqis and then toddle off back to the United States. They have too many interests here.” Egyptian taxi driver Dyar, 40, said: “The Americans aren’t going to withdraw because it’s a colonial project.” Washington unveils a team to run post-war Iraq today. Paul Wolfowitz, the US deputy defence secretary, said it would take more than six months for an Iraqi government to be created. The United States, whose troops have reached Baghdad, plans to install the first stages of the civil administration in the southern port of Umm Qasr within days. “The Americans came to occupy and they will stay to occupy and the occupation of us Arabs and Muslims will continue,” said Tareq al-Masri, a Yemeni student in Sanaa.
Most Arabs oppose the war, which the US says is aimed at “liberating” Iraq from the grip of President Saddam Hussein. But many Arabs suspect that Washington wants to install a puppet government rather than handing over power. “Why would the Americans install a democracy in Iraq when they want Iraq’s oil? In a democracy the Iraqis would stop them,” said Cairo taxi driver Hussam Abdallah. “I am certain that the government the United States will impose…will accept everything America wants, including control and political administration of the oil and also burdening Iraq with the war bill,” said Nasser Saad al-Humoud, a private sector employee in Saudi Arabia. Jordanian analyst Uraib Rantawi said if reconstruction contracts were given to companies connected to senior members of President George W. Bush’s administration “they (Americans) will be dealt with as occupiers and colonialists”.
Hamed al-Hinai, an Omani businessman, said the international community had to prevent Washington keeping a hold on Iraq. “Any failure to do that will encourage some segments of the Iraqi people to see the US as invaders and turn them into freedom fighters,” he said. In non-Arab Iran, Mina, a 52-year-old psychologist said that prolonged US presence in Iraq could spark violence. “If the Americans decide to remain in Iraq after Saddam is toppled, they will face resistance and street fighting.” But Hamid, a 30-year-old Iranian teacher, disagreed. “As soon as the Iraqi people smell dollars and enjoy the comfort that money brings for them they will forget about resisting against Americans and they will show a positive reaction,” he said. Few Arabs felt a strong role for the United Nations or Europe was likely, or that it would make much difference.
European leaders want international bodies such as the UN to play a major role in rebuilding Iraq after the war. But the United States has ruled out a leading UN role and says Washington, and those most actively involved in the fighting, should come top of the list. “The United Nations may run Iraq after the war, but the United States would tell the United Nations what to do,” said Abdallah in Cairo. Jordan’s commentator Tareq Masarweh said Arabs would be at the bottom of the heap in rebuilding Iraq. “Arabs are not included as partners in any Anglo-American plans to reconstruct Iraq after the war… The US has already put its hands on the oil wells, even before the Baghdad battle,” he wrote in a column in al-Rai daily. Many on the streets expressed a similar helplessness. “The Arab street is worthless,” said Ahmed, a 24-year-old recent graduate in Beirut. “The Arabs are used to defeat. If the Americans stay then the Arabs might be upset for a while, then they will just go back to their ordinary lives.”
THE EDITOR: I am proposing a motion to be adopted by public opinion that the nation takes on board and declares each April 1 a National Public holiday to celebrate our propensity to embrace fools and our great tolerance of their foolish ideas. In 1999 we reputedly wanted to “brand” TT and here we can do it, being the only one in the worldwide community of nations to honour foolishness as a cherished national resource.
Far from removing Parliament from its historic seat — to be converted into a Prime Ministerial Palace, hang the mere $38 millions spent on (loosely, very loosely) “renovating” Whitehall, good only, under our present grand schemes, to accommodate the PM’s Secretary or Chauffeur — the self important and self highly overrated Manning may now decide on a five-sided sky scraper with a centre-pointed, faceted roof, to be erected on the geometrical centre of the Queen’s Park Savannah and to be nominated as Patriots Pyramidic Pentagon”. Not to be outdone by the famous Waterloo Temple-in-the-Sea, Manning’s successor may advocate a PM’s residence situated off the Port-of-Spain wharfs, in the Gulf of Paria, to be connected to our capital by a Golden Arch Suspension Bridge, along which only the Prime Minister’s gilded carriage, drawn by a team of six white horses, is allowed. (We have the architect for same readily available).
Another may buy a small Channel Island as his baronial seat from the proceeds of his “struggle for the poor and dispossessed” (which amazingly has turned out to be an extremely lucrative endeavour)! Who mad? The Governments we get or ourselves for tolerating them? We want a holiday on April 1 and a Monorail to the St Ann’s Hospital — if we going more mad let’s go in style!
GEOFF HUDSON
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: If it were not for the seriousness of the occurring kidnappings of the day, I would have viewed that letter to the bank managers by persons unknown as very amusing.
Hello! Are they not aware that there are other people out there who are knowledgeable of the private affairs of people and who could also be held accountable? What about the housekeepers? What about the gardeners? What about the security guards in gated communities? What about the employees in their business? What about the members in their family? What about the business “pardners”? I say to the writer of that letter to the bank managers who blamed them and their employees for leakage of private financial information that they need to rethink and not place it on one entity. We have reached the stage when we all need to be careful.
B SANDY
Maraval
THE EDITOR:
When one is said to be an Arab
A sense of ancient pride should come to mind
For Arab history is truly ancient
And filled with historic wonders
All of the Arab world has a proud culture
A gift from ancient times
Just look at the magnificent wonder
Of its magic and music
Oh yes, when one is said to be an Arab
A sense of ancient pride should come to mind
JOAN AL-SALIHI
Charlieville
BRIDGETOWN: With captain Courtney Browne labelling his side the “best in the Caribbean”, Cup champions Barbados created history yesterday after crushing Jamaica by seven wickets in the final of the Carib Beer International Challenge to become the first to capture both titles in a West Indies first-class cricket season.
Set just 35 for victory following another sensational batting collapse by Jamaica, Browne’s ruthless combination of experience and youth triumphed in 7.1 overs – 20 minutes after lunch on the fourth and final day at Kensington Oval. Ryan Hinds was unbeaten on 21 as the winning runs came from three leg-byes to fine-leg with occasional bowler Brenton Parchment in operation. Ecstatic spectators, one displaying a huge Barbados flag of ultra marine and gold with the broken trident, soon assembled in front of the Sir Garfield Sobers Pavilion for the presentation ceremony as Kurt Wilkinson, the 21-year-old Barbados batsman was named Man-of-the-Match for his second first-class century (125) in the Barbados first innings total of 369.
Starting the day on 166 for three in their second innings, still needing 19 more runs to avoid an innings defeat, Jamaica scored freely in the first 25 minutes before losing their last seven wickets for 32 runs in 18 overs as they were fired out by a four-pronged pace attack for 219. Leon Garrick, who resumed on 56, made 75 to follow his opening partner Parchment’s topscore of 82 on Saturday. West Indies fast bowler Vasbert Drakes was the top wicket-taker with three for 44. From their double success, which added to the capture of the regional limited overs championship in Jamaica last September, Barbados also set a couple other records. “It’s a great feeling. It’s a very, very good feeling. I never even realised how much hard work we had put in over the last few months to get this far,” said Browne, who has been the Barbados captain in all of their last three championship successes.
Browne, a former West Indies player, said Barbados had shown that experience and youth are vital ingredients for success. In relation to winning the last three regional championships and then sustaining such an excellent record, Browne said: “We can take the pressure. We like the pressure. We play well under pressure and we know all about it. When we look at the other teams, they are not as strong as Barbados and they really can’t put pressure on us because we will soak up that pressure and then return it to them. So we are not worried about any team. We are the best in the Caribbean without doubt. We have proven it now.” Jamaica captain Robert Samuels was gracious in defeat, saying Barbados displayed more professionalism throughout. The collapse started when all-rounder David Bernard, who has been included in the West Indies 14-man squad for the first time for the opening Test against Australia in Georgetown on Thursday, fell to West Indies left-arm pacer Pedro Collins.
FORMER West Indies batsman Keith Arthurton scored a century yesterday to guide CLICO Preysal to a 10-wicket victory over Police in the fourth round of the Carib National League Division I cricket series at the St. James Barracks.
Preysal, replying to the Police first innings total of 257, reached 351 for nine wickets declared, with Arthurton following up his 176 a weeka ago with 111 yesterday. And in their second innings, the lawmen were bundled out for 120, leaving Preysal the simple task of scoring 27 runs for victory, which they achieved without loss. At Syne Village, there was an exciting draw between PowerGen and Tile It Central Sports. Set 125 runs for victory, Central Sports stuttered to 51 for five wickets by the close. PowerGen’s Amit Jaggernauth was the star of the match with figures of 6/67 and 2/12.
At Charlieville, West Indies spinner Dinanath Ramnarine with 6/98, bowled out defending champions Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys for 186 to give Comets first innings points. Summariesd scores: At Pierre Road: ALESCON COMETS 229 and 220/7 – (Imran Khan 51, Kapil Harry 57, Suruj Ragoonath 31, Richard Kelly 3/43 vs CERAMIC MERRYBOYS 186 (Lendl Simmons 57, Keno Mason 39, Dinanath Ramnarine 6/98, Nicholas Ramjass 2/11. Match drawn.
At the Barracks: POLICE 257 and 120 – Damian Hanuman 41, Amarnath Basdeo 28, Ravi Rampaul 4/24, K. Arthurton 3/9 vs CLICO PREYSAL 351/9 declared – K. Arthurton 111, Dinesh Ramdin 51, Hollister Pajotte 58, Robert Mahabir 4/96, Imtaz Rojan 3/123 and 27/0. Preysal won by 10 wickets.
At Syne Village: POWERGEN 225 and 111 – Devindra Krishna 5/19, Rodney Sooklal 5/32 vs TILE IT CENTRAL SPORTS 212 – Chris Ramdat 72 not out, A. Jaggernauth 6/67 and 51/5 – A. Jaggernauth 2/12, Atiba Allert 2/13. Match drawn. At the Oval: CLARKE ROAD 331/8 declared and 52/3 vs QUEEN’S PARK 286 – Jerome Deepath 50, Earnil Ryan 62, Deepak Kumar 49, Kenton Thompson 3/30, Nicholas Ramjass 3/89. Match drawn.
TRINIDAD and Tobago marathon record holder Ronnie Holassie took gold in the men’s 5,000 metres at the Southern Games at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre yesterday.
The Miami-based Holassie crossed the finishing line in 15 minutes 31.52 seconds, ahead of American American Eddie Ernest Jones 15:35:01 and Cantius Thomas of Health Olympians 16:73.01. But the race was robbed of some interest as leading Caribbean long distance runner and CLICO Trinidad Marathona winner and record holder Pamenos Ballantyne did not compete. Emerging Tobagonian sprinter Kelly-Ann Baptiste won the sprint double when she claimed the 200m in a quick 23.31, followed by Jamaica’s Sherry-Ann Brooks (24.11) and Zenith’s Crystal Skeete (24.19). Baptiste copped the women’s 100m on Saturday in 11.50 seconds. And Guyanese sprinter Andre Blackman also completed the double, taking the half-lap yesterday in 21.14. Blackman clocked 10.34 to win the 100m on Saturday.
Antiguan long-distance queen Janil Williams was beaten by Phoenix’s Denile De Verteuil in the 800m, with De Verteuil clocking 2:16.14 to Williams’ 2:18.84, while Karlene McLean of Eagles third in 2:23.56. But Williams gained a measure of revenge moments later, winning the 3,000m in 11:14.25. And the Antiguan teenager (4:50.23) continued her dominance in the 1,500m on Saturday. CARIFTA prospects pilar McShine, Jamal James and reigning champ Simeon Bovell were all triumphant in the half-mile yesterday, with the dreadlocked McShine taking the girls Under-17 in 2:33.26; James the boys U-17 in 2:00.38 and Bovell the boys U-20 in 1:52.26. But Cuban world rated match sprint cyclist Julio Cesar Herrera was the highlight of the two-day meet.
The 1994 World Junior and four-time Pan-American match sprint champion, showed that he is still one of the top pedal pushers as he dominated the shorter distance on the banked-grass track, outpedalling the international field in the Southern Wholesale Stores 500 metres in a time of 48.44 seconds on Saturday. And, in front of a vocal crowd yesterday, Herrera captured the Roger Gibbon Match Sprint Trophy after defeating countryman Michael Pedrosa in two straight rides (14.31 and 13.39 secs).
GEORGETOWN: Australia ended the second day of their warm-up match against the West Indies Cricket Board’s Carib Beer XI team yesterday with a commanding lead of 425 with two second innings remaining.
At the close of play, the visitors were 180 for eight in their second innings after opting not to enforce the follow-on when the Carib Beer XI was routed for 132 in their first innings just after lunch. Martin Love on 55, his second half-century of the match, and Stuart MacGill on 17, were the not out batsmen. Australia, which ended the first day on 377 for three, declared at the overnight total. Left-arm spinner Brad Hogg led the Australian bowling with four for 23 from 6.3 overs after fast bowlers Andy Bichel (two for 10) and Jason Gillespie (two for 13) had made the initial breakthrough. Leg-spinner MacGill, vying with Hogg for a place in the Australian Test team, finished with two for 49 from eight overs. Opener Imran Jan stood out for the Carib Beer XI, batting through the innings for an undefeated 42 which included five fours in 152 minutes.
CASTRIES: The West Indies exited the World Double-Wicket Cricket Championship at the semi-final stage and New Zealand went on to capture the title in the US$175,000 event at the Beausejour Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka eliminated the West Indies with a three -run victory in the first semi-final, and New Zealand defeated England by 53 runs early in the afternoon, to join the Sri Lankans in the late afternoon championship decider. England had been promoted into the last four to replace semi-final qualifiers Pakistan, who were forced to withdraw because of an injury to Shahid Afridi. Batting first against Sri Lanka in their semi-final, the West Indies scored well with Chris Gayle slamming 46 and Carl Hooper 17 in a total of 68, reflecting a 30-run reduction because they suffered three dismissals. Sri Lanka’s pair of Mahela Jayawardene (42) and Aravinda de Silva (24) suffered only one wicket-loss and squeezed to victory with 71 runs from their 10 overs, handing the West Indies pair their only defeat of the tournament.
The second semi-final produced many runs and many wickets as New Zealand prevailed for a handsome win. With the format dictating a 10-run deduction from the batting team’s score each time a wicket is taken, England suffered badly. Responding to New Zealand’s score of 93, England actually gathered 130 runs but suffered nine dismissals, adjusting their final score to 40 off their 10 overs. Oram had earlier belted 52 and Vettori, 36, in pushing the New Zealand total to 113 runs, revised to the 93 total because of two dismissals. In the final, the Sri Lankans batted first and amassed a final tally of 70 runs during their 12 overs. De Silva’s contribution was 47 and Jayawardene 22. Sri Lanka picked up US$30,000 for second and beaten semi-finalists West Indies and England got US$20,000 each.
RONALD ROGERS will continue to hold the position as trainer/physio of the West Indies cricket team for the forthcoming Cable and Wireless Series against Australia and Sri Lanka. The 42-year-old Rogers replaced the long-serving Dennis Waight as physio in March 2000.
“As far as I am concerned, I am the trainer (for the series),” said Rogers, who added that his post was not among those discussed at last weekend’s West Indies Cricket Board’s meeting of directors in Barbados. Following the meeting, star batsman Brian Lara was named as captain with Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy, fellow Trinidadian Gus Logie serving as coach in the absence of Australian Bennett King, while Ricky Skerritt retains his spot as manager. Rogers added that, according to his contract, “I’m the physio until, if in their (WICB) mind I’m not functioning or if I want to do something else (resign).”
Commenting on the new management team, the former Defence Force physio noted that “I’ve worked with everyone before – Brian at Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies level, Gus at West Indies Under-15 and Under-19 levels, and it’s just a matter of getting the job done.” “Just as I had a good relationship with the past captain (Carl Hooper) and coach (Roger Harper) to achieve their goals, I’ll plan to continue the same with Brian and Gus,” he continued. Rogers revealed that he will join Lara, Logie and Skerritt in Guyana “to discuss what our plans will be for the series as well as building cohesion.” The first Test against Australia bowls off on Thursday at the Bourda Oval, Georgetown, Guyana.
