Iraqi communist gunned down

[seriousstan]

INSURGENTS have gunned down a leading Iraqi communist in the capital in the latest political violence to target the run-up to landmark elections on January 30, the party said today.

Hadi Saleh, known as Abu Furat, was "assassinated in Baghdad in a cowardly act by anti-people terrorist elements and supporters of the ousted dictatorial regime", a statement said without giving the date of the killing.

Mr Saleh had been a member of the executive bureau of the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions, who returned from exile after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003.

Assassinations of politicians have stepped up in recent days. A prominent member of the Islamic party, the main Sunni faction, was killed yesterday, while another leading communist, Saadi Abdel Jabbar al-Bayati, was killed south of the capital 10 days ago.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11865426%255E1702,00.html

[David__77]

1. Too bad the ICP set itself up against common Iraqis.

By supporting the occupation, the Iraqi "communists" have forsaken their political birthright as patriots.

Did thousands of communist activists die at the hands of the Ba'athists over the years so that the current party leaders could slavishly follow the new American masters?

[WillieWoohah]

2. If you're not Iraqi yourself, I don't think you have the right to say that

I was, and am, against this war, but I don't think we have the right to say who and who isn't a real Iraqi patriot.

Just because they are supporting the elections doesn't mean they are "slavishly following the new American masters". I don't recall the Iraqi Communist Party callling for the invasion of Iraq, but now that it has happened and it is their judgement that elections (however problematic) are the way forward towards a free Iraq, we should respect that decision. They are in a tight spot where they could face renewed persecution if the insurgency is successful and since we were the ones who put them in that dilemma it's a bit rich casting judgement on them.

Just my opinion.

If you are Iraqi, please accept my apologies.

[daleo]

3. Any way you look at it, they will face renewed persecution.

If there is an honest election, the religious parties that prevail will have no use for Godless communists. If the election is rigged, the pro-U.S. party will have no use for Godless communists.

They legitimized the invasion and occupation by supporting the election. You can respect that decision. I don't know if I can. It is true that Bush put in action a chain of events that have no good solutions. Support the elections, and you implicitly support aggressive war. Don't support the elections, and you implicitly support - I don't know what.

But I am pretty certain that an election held with U.S. troops in Iraq will not have popular legitimacy anyway. I suspect the votes have already been counted - Bush is just waiting for the formality of some people casting a few ballots before he announces the result. The Iraqi response will be to yawn, laugh, and blow up more U.S. troops.

[WillieWoohah]

4. "Support the elections, and you implicitly support aggressive war."

Sorry, I disagree with that, it's a little too "with us or against us". i.e. you either support the insurgency or you support Bush and the neocons.

It's possible to oppose the invasion but accept that now that it has happened the best thing to do is to support the elections. Iraqis aren't morally obliged to start a civil war with each other just to repudiate Bush's aggression.

OTOH, I agree with your assessment of the likely outcomes.

[daleo]

5. I guess the Iraqis will eventually decide the matter, one way or another

Many will die first, though.

[saigon68]

6. The likely outcome is more dimwit enlistees killed for Halliburton

And many children starving in amerika and the world. Seniors living in filthy nursing homes with no diaper change until morning. Deal with it.