|
In Iraq, celebrating the birth of a nation
5.7.2007
|
|
|
|
July
5, 2007
BAGHDAD, -- Generals, diplomats, and
politicians gathered in one of Saddam Hussein's
former palaces on Wednesday to celebrate the birth
of American-style democracy, wondering if Iraq will
one day do the same.
The green and white marble of the US embassy
ballroom was cloaked in red, white and blue as
generals in green camouflage, dignitaries in suits,
and an occasional tribal sheikh in flowing robes
mingled under balloons.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, President
Jalal Talabani, US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, and
supreme US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus
addressed the gathering in the security of the Green
Zone.
All expressed the hope that one day Iraq too could
celebrate a long and tortuous path to independence,
a liberal democratic experience no matter how
fragile, culminating in parties and fireworks. |
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (L) AFP |
Those who signed the American Declaration of
Independence were expressing "a hope, not yet
recording an achievement. The achievement almost
didn't happen," Crocker said.
The ambassador reminded those gathered that in the
American revolution his country lost a third of its
army, that decades later its capital was burned to
the ground by an occupier, and that it once fought a
brutal civil war.
"There is nothing swift and there is nothing easy
about establishing a free and democratic state. Not
in America. Not in Iraq," Crocker said.
Iraq's president discussed America's epic struggle
against tyranny culminating in the overthrow of
Saddam Hussein in 2003.
"How many years would we in Iraq have needed, years
of blood and sacrifice, to liberate our country from
the dictatorship of mass graves, of brutal
suppression of the people, and ethnic cleansing?" he
asked.
Talabani said he looked forward to winning true
sovereignty but insisted that the "presence of
coalition forces in Iraq is needed to safeguard our
people's achievements in liberty, democracy, and
independence."
The message resonated throughout the hall, but more
than four years after the invasion it was not always
clear whether the guests were celebrating the birth
of the United States, or the ideals it is supposed
to represent.
"We wish that what they are celebrating, we could
celebrate ourselves, but our country is still under
occupation," said Sheikh Nadim al-Tamimi, a tribal
chief from north of Baghdad who attended in flowing
beige robes.
"We hope we can celebrate one day when our country
is secure and safe and we have full sovereignty."
But for many of the Americans present the brass
band, the patriotic music and the paper plates
evoked, not lofty ideals, but memories of summer
nights, outdoor barbecues, and festive explosions of
Independence Day's past.
"The holiday's always been nice and I usually spend
it with family up in Oregon, so I miss that," said
Specialist Bowie Sessions, a US army medic who works
at a combat hospital in Green Zone.
"Honestly the only thing I hope for is that there
are no fireworks tonight," he added.
As to what the rest of the 155,000 US soldiers
stationed across Iraq would be doing to commemorate
their country's independence, Sessions said they
would be working.
"Tonight everyone will be hanging around on their
roofs, watching various bullets fly around and
saying 'Happy Fourth of July'. There's a lot of
cigarette smoking."
AFP
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 