Iraq Press Roundup

The provincial councils and possibilities of change

Iraqis are preparing for provincial elections in January. While many analysts expect more violence and further divisions of power, others see the elections as a move toward more capable leaders.

The provincial councils currently in power have the same sectarian image as the Iraqi Parliament, the independent al-Mada newspaper said Tuesday.

The provincial councils are unable to provide for their constituents, despite the fact that many leaders come from the same parts of the city they govern. The central government, meanwhile, has found it difficult to negotiate construction projects or eliminate corruption at the provincial level.

The changes will be numerous in the January elections. The new "open" balloting system will restore faith in democracy for the Iraqi people, which hopefully will bring a successful election. The open system gives voters the option to vote for independent candidates if they choose, giving them the opportunity to pick who best to represent them in the long run.

Many see the coming elections as the beginning of government reformations that will manifest in the ouster of incompetent leaders who are currently in power, the newspaper concluded.

Threats of elections

Violence may break out among rival Shiite factions in the south and between Kurds and Arabs in the north of Iraq as the January elections draw near, the Sunni al-Mashriq newspaper said Tuesday.

Some observers say they expect an uptick in violence because Sunni representation in all of the Iraqi provinces is greater than it was in 2005. For the Shiites, groups like the Sadrist Movement of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr are expected to participate with heavy representation as well, the newspaper said.

The government in Baghdad, however, is oblivious to the looming security threat ahead of the provincial elections in an effort to maintain consolidated control, while quietly preparing for ways to prevent the Sadrists from gaining control of the south.

Meanwhile, some 60,000 employees have been trained to observe the polls, though some observers say at least 200,000 would be needed to ensure free and fair elections.

The potential for fraud, however, is still high as international groups say no matter how much potential is seen for the coming elections, their impact will be minimal.

Corruption, authority and democracy

The link between dictatorships and corruption is so strong that removing one of them usually brings the end of the other, the liberal al-Ahali newspaper said Tuesday.

Corruption gives ruling parties the means to abuse their societies. It also grants governments the tools for domination by putting the means for corruption in the hands of the few. This ability is the true source of government power, the newspaper said.

Widespread corruption, from political to sexual, and matters of security are used by the government to counter any rebellion. When high-ranking officials, for example, become involved in any kind of corruption, they are unable to reveal the actions of others.

In countries like Iraq, corruption is still rampant despite the establishment of the foundations of freedom and democracy. People embrace slogans against corruption, but they are ineffective because their government is too weak to take the necessary measures.

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(Edited by Daniel Graeber)