Iraqis risk their lives to vote, but the occupation continues
Caroline Sinclair | 31.01.2005 02:04 | Anti-militarism | Social Struggles
Voices in the Wilderness draw attention to the inability of the Iraqi election to change the fact of occupation.
Sunday 30th January saw the first elections in Iraq for 50 years. At least 44 people were killed at by a string of suicide bombings at or near polling stations, but threats of indiscriminate slaughter could not deter the Iraqi populace in their desire to express their need for self-determination.
Voices in the Wilderness (
voices@voicesuk.org or voicesuk.org) held a photocall opportunity outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London, to draw attention to the powerlessness of the Iraqi populace to change the single most important political fact in their lives: the continuing military occupation of their country by foreign powers.
Preliminary reports suggest that at least eight million Iraqis showed extraordinary courage and determination, taking their lives in their hands in order to vote. This implies an overall turnout of at least 60%, although unconfirmed reports from Baghdad – where 25 people were killed at or near polling stations – suggest voter participation approaching 80% in some areas, rising to over 90% in Kirkuk.
These high turnouts were unfortunately not mirrored in the Sunni Triangle, where many polling stations were either closed or deserted, and the threats of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (who has claimed responsibility for many of the suicide bombings) to kill every voter appear to have carried more weight.
The Iraqi people have given a clear signal of their desire for autonomy against extraordinary odds. Let us hope that control of their country, free of invading forces, is returned to them as soon as possible.
Voices in the Wilderness (
voices@voicesuk.org or voicesuk.org) held a photocall opportunity outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London, to draw attention to the powerlessness of the Iraqi populace to change the single most important political fact in their lives: the continuing military occupation of their country by foreign powers. Preliminary reports suggest that at least eight million Iraqis showed extraordinary courage and determination, taking their lives in their hands in order to vote. This implies an overall turnout of at least 60%, although unconfirmed reports from Baghdad – where 25 people were killed at or near polling stations – suggest voter participation approaching 80% in some areas, rising to over 90% in Kirkuk.
These high turnouts were unfortunately not mirrored in the Sunni Triangle, where many polling stations were either closed or deserted, and the threats of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (who has claimed responsibility for many of the suicide bombings) to kill every voter appear to have carried more weight.
The Iraqi people have given a clear signal of their desire for autonomy against extraordinary odds. Let us hope that control of their country, free of invading forces, is returned to them as soon as possible.
Caroline Sinclair
e-mail:
carosinclair@yahoo.co.uk
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