Real Freedom Still Far Off

[kris10ep]

Published on Sunday, January 30, 2005 by the Toronto Sun
Real Freedom Still Far Off
by Eric Margolis


Will today's elections for 7,785 unknown candidates in violence-racked Iraq mark the dawn of genuine Mideast democracy, as U.S. President George W. Bush claims, or be another step deeper into the bloody quagmire in Mesopotamia?

First, no election held under a foreign military occupation resulting from an unjustified war is legal under international law. During the Cold War, elections staged by the Soviets after invading Afghanistan, Hungary and Czechoslovakia were rightly denounced by the U.S. as "frauds" and the leaders elected as "stooges."

Second, Shiites, excluded from political power since Britain created Iraq in 1921, will win since they represent 60% of the population. Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani issued a fatwa, or religious decree, ordering the faithful to vote for the Shiites' coalitions.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0130-09.htm

[patdem]

1. Welcome to DU, Kristen..are you the Kristen of your Sig Line?

:hi: and a great post as well. Welcome!