In just over two months, Iraqis are scheduled to participate in national elections. United States officials have expressed confidence, at least publicly, that the elections will proceed as planned.
“We’re working hard on it,” Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday. “The U.N. has increased its presence. There are thousands of Iraqis who are working on registration and getting ready for the elections.”
But a growing number of political leaders in Iraq, mostly members of the Sunni religious minority, are demanding a delay. They say that continuing violence and instability in the so-called Sunni Triangle, and elsewhere, make free and fair elections impossible.
This month, U.S. troop deaths in Iraq
are approaching a record high. As of Monday, 133 troops had died, according to the Associated Press.
Shiite majority parties say this is simply a Sunni political stunt designed for them to hold onto power for as long as possible. Sunni Arabs make up about 20 percent of the population. Two Kurdish parties have also come forward in support of delaying the elections if other parties desire a delay.
Iraq needs elections — it is the first step toward freedom. If those in the Sunni heartland choose to boycott the elections, as they have threatened, or simply cannot participate in elections due to violence, Jan. 30 will go down in history as a huge step backwards. If you think the country is in chaos now, you would be right, but it is nothing compared to the chaos that would follow an election deemed rigged.
The last thing America needs is to be connected to an Iraq government that is viewed as illegitimate or a pro-U.S. puppet. President Bush should delay the Iraq elections, even by a year if necessary. Time is needed to negotiate with minority parties, quell the insurgency, train Iraqi forces, increase U.N. participation and set up the infrastructure necessary to hold truly democratic elections.

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]