Robert Fisk wrote, in a recent article in "The Independent", that the greatest danger in Iraq at the moment is a possible civil war between the Shias and Sunnis (and the Kurds?). In a later article, he also wrote that the formation of armed civilian vigilantes, to protect communities from looting and general lawlessness, was the way the civil war started in Beirut. I certainly hope he is wrong. Civil wars are generally more vicious and bloody than wars between nations. The recent hacking to death of the Shia cleric in Najaf coud well be a foretaste of what is to come.

In any nation and community there are the backward, criminal, lumpen elements--for example, those who are currently looting in Iraq--and the more class conscious and politically conscious workers and socialists who are capable of organising people to take control of events for the benefit of the Iraqi workers and poor.

The way forward is for the more thoughtful people anong Iraqi trades unions and shanty town dwellers to establish democratically accountable, and disciplined, armed malitia to undercut the clerical obscurantists who will drag Iraq into a bloody civil war--if they are allowed to do so. In other words, there is aneed to establish an alternative, armed, working class opposition.

An Iraqi IMC would be a tremendous asset in helping to promote and co-ordinate the re-formation of just such a democratic, alternative working class and socialist pole within Iraq society. But the present chaos in the country--there is no electricity, telephone communication or Internet access--makes this impossible at the moment.

The only thing that could be done, perhaps, is to try to get Iraqi socialist exiles in Europe and North America to set up an Iraqi IMC from a server outside Iraq. This could then be transferred to Iraq whenever it becomes possible.

But indymedia needs to do SOMETHING to help crystalise out, and publish, the thoughts and political proposals of the democratic socialist Iraqi opposition.

Thoughts?

Hmm. interesting idea. an Iraq indy media outlet.
i think for the mo though they have other things to concentrate on, like the basics of life, water, food etc.
but i think its a good idea for sure.

electricity is up. telecommunications are up. somebody give them server space and let them upload!!!

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