Iraq Press Roundup

People of Iraq deal with their situation by focusing on the results of U.S. occupation instead of what brought about the challenges their country faces.

Iraqis often act out against the reasons for the destruction of their country and the wasting of their national wealth. It is surprising that the only political experiences that have succeeded through the history of Iraq are the ones that relied on tyranny to achieve stability and security, the independent Kitabat newspaper said Monday.

"Why is the wrong followed instead of the right?"

The government of Saddam Hussein brought high rates of security and unity to Iraq through oppression. In spite of people's hatred of his policies, Saddam enabled the security forces to restrict people's movements and recruit them extensively to serve his interests.

It is unusual that the only way to unite society and create a stable life for Iraqis is through oppressive ways. Regardless, when the "golden" opportunity came in the form of U.S. forces as liberators, the people opposed them.

The Iraqi people could not deal with freedom correctly, the newspaper said. They faced freedom by turning into criminals and killers, partaking in a devastating plan against Iraq and its people.

The right path for Iraqis to take in the current situation is to build "friendships" with the Americans, who are investing heavily in Iraq.

When the people fail to manage their country, that leaves the responsibility to U.S. forces, who were the only ones capable of overthrowing the dictatorship of Saddam.

With the invasion of Iraq, it has become difficult for U.S. officials to address human rights and bring democracy, peace and stability to the Middle East.

U.S. officials refer to their efforts in the region in terms of "progress" and the "peace process," regardless of the fact that the United States has paid scant attention to those matters in the past 18 months, al-Sabaah al-Jadeed newspaper said Monday.

The other half of the peace process

U.S. officials have been pushing the peace process for the situation in Palestine simply because there are only a few months left in the presidency of George Bush. The only other time Palestine is mentioned is when there are military clashes in the region.

If the Bush administration is serious about solving the problems in the Middle East, Washington has to develop an alternative plan in case the current peace process fails.

Negotiators are planning a second round of peace talks on the Israeli-Palestinian situation next week in Annapolis, Md.

Just like in every other situation where there is conflict in the Middle East, the United States points the blame at every party but itself when a peace plan fails. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton blamed former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat when the Camp David summit failed in 2000, leaving the Palestinians cautious about moving ahead with further peace talks.

The Shiites had a better reputation before the Islamic Revolution brought the sect to power in Iran, al-Iraqi Lil-Jammee wire service said Monday.

When will the Iraqi Shiites admit that Iran gave them a bad reputation?

The Shiite community used to be a peaceful minority that was never involved in terrorism or other crimes. Shortly after the mullahs came to power in 1979, the Shiites' image was linked to images of instability, terrorism and betrayal.

After the Iraqi Shiites assumed leadership of the intelligent community, literature and art, they started to be seen as the worst example of Iranian authority. This was due to the fact that Iran had interfered in the internal affairs of Iraq despite pressure from the Shiite community.

Just as in Iraq, Shiites in other countries are facing persecution for the bad reputation left by the activity of the Iranian government. If this suggests anything, it shows that Iran is behind many of the problems facing the Shiite community.

Shiite religious institutions in Iraq and other countries should be the first to accept blame for allowing Iran to interfere in their matters. Even after they discovered Iran had supported terrorists, for example, the leading Iraqi clerics did little to condemn the acts.