Cablegate: Daily Iraqi Website Monitoring - October 11, 2005

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BAGHDAD 004198

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INR/R/MR, NEA/PPD, NEA/PPA, NEA/AGS, INR/IZ, INR/P

E.0. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO IZ
SUBJECT: DAILY IRAQI WEBSITE MONITORING - October 11, 2005

SUMMARY: Discussions of the future of the Iraqi political
system, support for the constitution, Arab-Iraqi relations,
and the importance of a permanent constitution were the
major editorial themes of Iraqi, Arabic language websites on
October 11, 2005. END SUMMARY.

-------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-------------------------------

A. "The Problem Is Iraqi-First and Foremost" (Iraq 4 All
News, 10/11)
B. "Let's Save Ourselves" (Kitabat, 10/11)
C. "We Don't Welcome Musa Conference, We Demand a
Constitutional Modification" (Al-Nahrain, 10/11)
D. "Iraq Is Temporary, the Constitution Is Permanent!"
(Independent Iraqi News Agency, 10/11)

SELECTED COMMENTARIES
----------------------------------------

A. "The Problem Is Iraqi-First and Foremost"
(Editorial by Abdul Wahab Baderkhan - Iraq 4 All News -
http://iraq4all.org/viewnews.php?id=10292 )

"The new system in Iraq has not been born yet; it is only
natural that the system needs time to settle down and show
its character. It is hoped that the constitution and the
referendum will mark an official start for this system. It
would be difficult to say that there is `no problem' with
this constitution; everyone knows there is a problem, and it
will not be solved by winning votes from registered voters.

"If there was not a problem, the National Assembly would not
have had to pass its [new] definition: `more than two
thirds,' before acquiescing to U.N. objections. Regardless
of its necessity, that definition was an inappropriate,
overt attempt at fraud; more importantly, it revealed a
tendency to misinterpret documents to manipulate results. It
was a sound step to revoke the decision, but the harm has
been done. There will be a long lasting effect in the souls
of people, as the attempt [to change the definition]
undermined respect for laws.

"The problem is that the view from the inside differs from
the view from the outside. Sometimes it might seem to those
inside that a solution has been reached and the problem has
been resolved, while the picture from the outside reveals
the damage inflicted on the country and its future.

"If Iraqis argue among themselves, it means that many
principles have not been taken into consideration, and it is
an Iraqi affair. But it has demanded the intervention of the
American ambassador in intense negotiations. Other external
sources were asked to help, including international research
centers and constitutional experts, to reach acceptable
drafts, as if the problem was in the constitution itself.
Unfortunately, Iraqis concerned with the constitution have
dealt with this issue as they did with the former governing
council, and later on, the TAL, the transitional government,
the elections, the resulting elected government, and finally
the constitutional drafting process. But this time thQmmitted the bigge
st mistake of all. Previously,
circumstances might have justified mistakes, but this time
there is no one to blame.

"The government shows a great deal of confidence in the
constitution's success, and this might be understandable
considering the circumstances, but this does not rule out
the fact that an essential sector of society opposes the
constitution. This faction's final position will mean the
necessary pre-referendum national reconciliation has not
been achieved, which will further delay the stabilization of
the system. We are facing an Iraqi-Iraqi crisis, first and
foremost."

B. "Let's Save Ourselves"
(Editorial by Hasan Abdul Razaq - Kitabat - "Writings" -
http://www.kitabat.com/i8928.htm )

"Chaos, corruption, and death claim innocent lives every
day; delayed reconstruction, unemployment.are all related to
the absence of law and order. A government empowered by laws
and authorities that enable it to efficiently lead the
country-and all of the [above-mentioned] issues-are related
to the absence of a constitution that would form a strong
basis for building a secure and stable society.

"Iraq, in its current situation, is in great need of a
constitution that enables it to stand on its own feet. The
`transitional' status is good for achieving nothing; no
matter how long the period or how great the assets, it
simply lacks the legal support that would repel opponents
who launch attacks.

"The current draft of the constitution is not flawless or
without points of disagreement among Iraqis of different
backgrounds. It requires discussion and assessment; despite
all of this, and taking into consideration the current
circumstances, this constitution represents a ray of hope in
the tunnel that we entered four and a half decades ago-the
tunnel of military governments whose interests were not
served by people knowing the meaning of the term
`constitution.' I do not believe that any solution is at
hand other than holding on to this cornerstone and declaring
that we will overcome this critical period and we will carry
our country to safety."

C. "We Don't Welcome Musa Conference, We Demand a
Constitutional Modification"
(Editorial by Ala'a Al Methji - Al-Nahrain - "The Two
Rivers" -
http://www.nahrain.com/d/news/05/10/11/nhr011 1c.html )

"We witnessed many ideological, intellectual, and political
conflicts in the region over the past decades, which
resulted in wars and material and immaterial assassinations.
Our Middle East arena was crowded with differences and the
conflicting parties (good and evil) were doing their best to
exclude the others. Then the civil war in Lebanon began,
followed by the Iraq-Iran war and the first Gulf war and,
before all of that, the conflict in Iraq.

"All the countries of the world adopted stances; the Arab
countries supported the ousted regime.The regime was killing
this, oppressing that, arresting this Shiite cleric, and
executing another until Iraq was torn and most Shiites were
killed. The Protector of the Eastern Gate [Saddam Hussein]
killed around half a million Shiites in two weeks after he
invaded Kuwait. Despite all of this, the Arab countries were
not able to say a single word about `national
reconciliation.' Shiite leaders appealed to the Arab League
to say something about the killi]jiite Arabs. But
silence prevailed and politicians dealt with the matter as
if it was not part of their duties.

"After that the Arab League's stance differed; they say they
are `with the Iraqi people' and they interfered flagrantly
in Iraq's internal affairs. What is new, oh Arab League?!
Have you just now heard the news of Al-Anfal? Have you just
heard about the mass graves? The answer is no, but we are
with the Sunni Arab master and the slave should not disobey
his master. A Shiite is an Arab, but of a slave's status. A
Kurd is an Iraqi, but of a slave's status. This is the
double standard that the Arab League adopts. The Arab League
cannot accept Shiite Arabs as first class Arab citizens.

"Amr Musa and Al-Saud started to activate the Ba'athists
role in the political process. We say to the Arab League
Secretary General that you are late in your project and it

SIPDIS
would have been better to send your delegate when the Iraqi
people were slaughtered from North to South in the era of
the Arab hero, Saddam Hussein.

"I suggest modifying the new Iraqi constitution and
including the phrase: `Sunni Arabs are part of the Arab
world' and another phrase for Kurds and Shiite Arabs: `Kurds
and Shiites are part of the Islamic world.' If brothers of
Sunni Arabs refuse, as always, then we will suggest
referring the issue to the people to vote on this item. I
hope that our National Assembly representatives care about
their voters' interests, not the Arab Nation that sends us
car bombs every day-the Arab nation that blames us in its
poisonous media. We also say to Amr Musa: `enough, enough,'
and if you finish your conference then take your beloved
Ba'athists with you because we do not need them."

D. "Iraq Is Temporary, the Constitution Is Permanent!"
(Editorial by Hameed Abdul Allah - Independent Iraqi News
Agency - http://www.normal.iraq-
ina.com/showarticles.php?id=1463 )
"Observers notice that everything in the new Iraq is
temporary except for the constitution, which is unique in
its permanence.
"Suddenly Iraq became a temporary country with its political
system, government, rules, instructions, parliament, police,
army, and perhaps with its borders and flag. Discussions
about sovereignty and independence are prohibited because
everything about sovereignty and independence bothers the
new Iraqi politicians, who promised to sacrifice their
souls, money, posts, and privileges to maintain `Iraq's
sovereignty, integrity and independence.' What more do you
want from your politicians?!

"I remember that one of the politicians who came to Iraq
after his `struggle' with `modifications, eruptions,
illuminations, and imitations' was asked by a journalist:
`How will you bring independence to Iraq after you get rid
of Saddam's regime?' He answered enthusiastically: `We will
return sovereignty and independence to Iraq even if we pay
the price with our blood.' He stressed: `We will sacrifice
our souls to maintain Iraq's independence!'

"This is not the point, but what attracts the attention of
observers and political analysts is the constitution. It
fills Iraq with disagreement and differences, debates and
discussions, confrontations and car bombs, battles with
words, hands, pistols and machine guns. This constitution is
the sole document; its permanence is desired in a country
whose government and parliament are temporary, its fate
ambiguous, and its future unknown.

"If you feel hungry, then eat articles of the constitution.
If you are afraid, put the constitution under your pillow to
bring safety and comfort. If there is no gas or kerosene,
then let the contents of the constitution warm you up. And
if you do not have ration card items, remember that you have
a constitution that defends your rights.

"Security and stability are not important for Iraq to
prevail. The most important thing is to tell nations that we
have a constitution that was written in ink, sweat, and
blood. We are the model. We should be followed, as we are
the sample that will be exported to the neighboring
countries who export terror to us.!"

KHALILZAD

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