The first interesting part to note is the second footnote that indicates that Voices in the Wilderness reports that Iraqis fear the brunt of war will be on them and so will fight us. The Voices crowd actually wants to act as human shields for Saddam’s regime so it isn’t too surprising that the victims of Saddam will say such things. Would you really tell the truth to a bunch of foreigners who are so addled that they would come to Iraq voluntarily (when so many Iraqis have fled?) to defend Saddam? Might you not think that the little toadies croaking in the wilderness might report disloyal voices to Saddam? And what of the contradiction of saying they fear consequences of war yet will leap into the trenches to fight us?
In any case, the International Crisis Group was surprised to find that Iraqis are eager for invasion. Far from representing the beginning of war, our invasion will signal the end of the wars and war deprivation that have been ongoing since 1980 when Saddam started his blood-stained path to glory over the bodies of his neighbors and his own people. The mere fact that people spoke to the interviewers rather than fear reprisals indicated to the ICG people that they must truly expect change. This is the best part:
Attitudes toward a U.S. strike are complex. There is some concern about the potential for violence, anarchy and score settling that might accompany forceful regime change. But the overwhelming sentiment among those interviewed was one of frustration and impatience with the status quo. Perhaps most widespread is a desire to return to “normalcy” and put an end to the abnormal domestic and international situation they have been living through. A significant number of those Iraqis interviewed, with surprising candour, expressed their view that, if such a change required an American-led attack, they would support it.
All those in the West who still defend Saddam’s brutal regime will have a lot to answer for when these people are freed. They may well ask why those who lived in the safety and freedom of the West did not cry out for those in Iraq who could not dare speak out for fear of their very lives. I won’t hold my breath for their remorse.
Let’s not let the Iraqis down. I’d hate to have to explain our inaction at this late date. After we know so much.
There are no more excuses for looking away.
On to Baghdad. Very soon.
