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February 08, 2010
23:21
Ahmed's Story - Just a Reminder.
» ‎ An Arab Woman Blues - Reflections in a sealed bottle... (iraq)

A reminder in case you have forgotten, I wrote about Ahmed in a post that I titled "Crucified by Freedom" and you MUST read it again. Yes, you must, because these are the "fruits of your labour".

Ahmed is a victim of horrendous American torture. His story is completely true...and it was not a case of a few bad apples. You are all fucking rotten to the core.

I just received news that Ahmed's health has terribly deteriorated again, because of the effects of Torture. I am told that now, his heads, arms and legs, move involuntarily, they shake, jitter, tremble...which means he can no longer stand up, walk or use his arms. He has a family of 5 in exile, living like dogs...with no income because of you.

Ahmed is now on 17 types of medication and the doctors have given up...

I was asked to pray for him...

We don't get to hear much about the victims of your Freedom torture once they are released.
Do we ?!

They disappear from your news, from your one minute indignation - if at all, from your view, from your conscience...

They were never there to start with...right ? Yes right.

You do what you do, and just walk away...with all impunity, without a care in the world...how many lives have been destroyed by you ? How many ? Millions of lives. In Iraq alone, millions of lives....

And you expect me to feel sorry for a few of your dirt because they suffer from "combat stress", because they are haunted by the innocent faces of those they tortured and killed ? You must be fucking joking.

Why have you felt any humanity for us in 7 years so I can feel anything for you ? Of course not...

But being the typical malignant narcissists that you collectively are, you think all your little pains and struggles are the only ones to be addressed and cared for -- because you think you are the center of the world...

Even in your sports, you super bowl, your super toilet bowl, you think everyone on this globe is interested in your cretinous games.

Even when it snows on your dumps of cities, you think it's the end of the world, the "snowmageddon"

Well guess what, I don't give a fuck about any of you. Nor your brave shits with combat stress, nor about your super toilet bowl nor about your being buried in snow...

For me Ahmed, and the thousands of Ahmed's that you gave birth to, with your labor pangs made of bullets, bombs, chains, and endless humiliation...for me, one finger nail, one hair from any Ahmed is more noble, cleaner, holier, purer...than all of you bastards put together.

Fuck you and fuck your America.

19:09
The ploy to eliminate election rivals
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

'Allawi, a secular Shi'ite who said he survived an assassination attempt by Baath party agents for his opposition to its rule, said he supported punishment of party members proven to have committed crimes against the Iraqi people.

But he said the candidate ban before the election, seen as crucial to solidifying Iraq's young democracy and settling disputes over territory and vast oil reserves, was indiscriminate and a ploy to eliminate election rivals and detract from the current government's failures.

GROSS FAILURE

"Frankly what I see is the gross failure of the government in providing services, in providing security, in reducing unemployment and having a clear cut foreign policy...to cover these failures they are attacking others," Allawi said.'

15:09
Maliki vs Hill … Cut the U.S. ties, back to Iran for rescue
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

The U.S. volatility attitude towards the Iraqi issue, made Maliki to come to the conclusion that he has nothing to lose, and all what the U.S. interested right now is “an Iraqi election” described by the Americans in two words “transparent and fair”, which allows the U.S. to withdraw its military forces in the August of this year.

In the absence of a clear U.S. policy in Iraq compared to its concerns in Afghanistan, the U.S. intervention in Iraqi affairs is no longer built on a “moral issue” such as what it was in the Republicans era, with the presence of strong American ambassadors in Iraq, like Zalmay Khalilzad, Negroponte, and Ryan Crocker. The presence of the current ambassador Christopher Hill, is only represents the type of pressure that may not lead to solutions.

Maliki’s solution

Maliki’s statement against the American Ambassador Christopher Hill, warning him not to go beyond his diplomatic mission is something new in Iraqi politics. The Americans are still strongly present in Iraq with an army of 140 Thousand soldiers, and they are also present under Article VII, therefore, Maliki’s talk about sovereignty is not very welcomed by the U.S. However, the U.S. Embassy responded to Maliki’s accusation by saying that its role is limited with providing advice to the Iraqi leaders, which means that the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maliki’s statement.

During the past period, everything was moving in the direction of holding elections that could exclude all those who stand against certain projects in Iraq. The most prominent among those, is former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and his majority Sunni political force, which is a major blow to the the Iranian Islamic project in Iraq.

The decision taken by the Justice and Accountability Commission to exclude certain members from participating in the election came as a surprise for all, even for Prime Minister Al-Maliki, who used the chaotic situation to turn the table against the American upside down, understands that if they are not harmful right now, they are no longer useful, especially with their definitive decision to leave Iraq despite the warnings issued by American politicians (the last warning came from Kissinger who advised Obama to change his plans against Iraq).

For his part, Maliki wants to employ his critical position towards the Americans against his opponents, especially the Iraqi National Coalition (INA), who made the Iranians to understand that Maliki is motivated by the Americans not to join INA coalition. Crossing the “red lines” against the Americans means that Maliki presented his credentials to the Iranians who will find him from now on a strong ally who can clash with the Americans and in the current U.S. — Iran relations, this is what the Iranians exactly need.

Changing seats and places, this is reason behind Ammar Al-Hakim’s visit to the U.S. ambassador Christopher Hill yesterday, to find if he can replace Maliki as the U.S. favorite.

12:33
Fanning fears of a Baathist revival
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

'Fanning fears of a Baathist revival might benefit Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other Shi'ite Islamist leaders, as it could win back voters who might be leaning toward secular, cross-confessional groups, like ex-prime minister Ayad Allawi's.

"We should not stand here with our hands tied during this sensitive period. We should take revenge for our martyrs, prisoners, the displaced and the homeless left by the former regime," Baghdad provincial governor Salah Abdul-Razzaq, a senior member of Maliki's Dawa party, told protesters.

"We will de-Baathify the Baghdad administration," he said, adding that the Baath party "and its instruments al Qaeda" were behind recent bomb attacks that have killed dozens of Iraqis in Baghdad and in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala.

Local government leaders in Basra affiliated with Dawa and the other main Shi'ite blocs, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (ISCI) and anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's movement, made similar vows at a rally to purge the city of Baath sympathisers.' --Muhanad Mohammed, Reuters

10:38
The Communist Perspective
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

Today is February 8, and to a lot of Iraqis, this is a sad day in the country's history. This is the day that Abdul Karim Qassem was killed by the Baathists and Arab nationalists. A friend who is a communist said this is a very sad day for him. To him, Qassem was a decent man who was not corrupt at all, and he was a man who looked after the interests of the average Iraqi.

Abdul Karim Qassem came to power in 1958 in a coup that led to the deaths of the royal family. Most communists don't like to admit that the royals were murdered and had their corpses dragged through the streets, but that's how it was.

This friend says Qassem built affordable housing for Iraqis is the neighbourhood now called Sadr City. When Qassem built it he called it Revolution City. Qassem did not own a house or a palace like Saddam did. Qassem's family did not benefit from his rise to power. His brother ran a tea shop. And when Qassem died, he had only 750 fils to his name. To a lot of Iraqis, the most important point is that he lived and died without anyone knowing whether he was Sunni or Shiite. It was a different time.

Now the Baathists are returning according to my friend. I asked how. He said the same way they did before, by killing and stealing. "Have you heard of any Baathist martyrs?" he asked. I said no. "Of course no!" he said. "Because Baathists were killed by Baathists. How could they call them martyrs?"

He is certain that this election will be a close one, and the Baathists will win a significant number of seats in parliament. He said they will defnitely have enough seats to have an impact on the government. Maybe there will be a balance, I said, with some Shiite Alliance people, Baathists, Kurds, and various others. He said only the Baathists are real bullies. "The Shiite Alliance at least have shame," my friend said. "They fear God." But the Baathists, he said, fear nobody.

February 07, 2010
21:06
Compromise...
» ‎ Uncensored Arabwomanblues (iraq)

Had a very interesting discussion today on Twitter about marriage, love, relationships...

We "talked" about how culture from both sides of the divide puts pressure on women to either marry and/or to feel ashamed about wanting to be married...

We talked about marriage equals kids, to have them or not to have them, and what if we don't for X reason...

We talked about myths of - ideal love, soul mates, prince charming (or perfect measurement woman for men) that will rescue - not...in short about expectations and how these can be detrimental (at least from my own point of view) to relationships.

We talked about sex outside of marriage, about cohabiting without legalizing it, about male philandering, about polygamy...

And last but not least, we talked more like debated about re-introducing the concept of "good enough" in relationships...

Not bad don't you think ?

Relationships are not easy, marriage has become difficult for many reasons, romantic love is still elusive for most, there is much conditioning, inherited beliefs about what should be and what should not...

We are bombarded from all sides, whatever our culture, as to what the ideal is...an ideal that a lot of us can't reach...

Maybe the ideal is just that -- an ideal -- and it is de facto unreachable, by definition...for most.

So what's the second best ? I did say second BEST and not SECOND best.

In other words, it's still as good.

Maybe not exactly the way we envisaged it, maybe not the exact image we held and nursed in our fantasies, maybe not the exact...but still GOOD enough.

That opens up a whole new door, in my opinion....where the possible can materialize and maybe turn into an ideal...with time...

And for that to happen, compromise is necessary. Am sure grandmothers told you all about compromise...

Compromising has a bad reputation these days, in the age of self centered individualism...where everyone says "I", "Me"...with much illusions about who this "I" and "Me" really is...

As if this "I" and this "Me" is some finite object that can be grasped once and for all...as if adapting, adopting, yielding, growing, changing is not possible at all.

As if this "I" and this "Me" is set in some mould, once and for all, for eternity...

As if this "I" and this "Me" is not some product of some previous mould...inherited, conditioned, and spat out into who you are today...

The mysterious, the spontaneous, the miraculous, cannot work its way through, gently work its way through these moulds...of the "I" and the "Me".

It then comes as no surprise that societies with the highest levels of "I" and "Me" are societies in which gurus and "personal development" spring most....

Fact is -- it's all about relationships. Parental, family, intimate, professional, social...

See what I mean when I say Hell is others ?!

Cynicism aside, what is that thing that smooths it out ? Compromise, of course.

Once you are clear about WHAT you are willing to compromise about, then the WHEN to compromise becomes easy.

For that, one needs to know the WHAT. This for me means knowing first and foremost what are the most important things for you that you will NOT compromise on. Like IMPOSSIBLY compromise on...

Once that is clear in your mind, absolutely clear...then a door of many possibilities is open right ahead in front of you.

20:16
Arab Woman Blues in Spanish.
» ‎ An Arab Woman Blues - Reflections in a sealed bottle... (iraq)

For Spanish readers, some of my posts have been translated by Sinfo Fernandez from Rebelion.org.
Many thanks to her and to all others who post my writings and thus keep Iraq's story alive, even though she is covered in ashes and dust...for now.

[rebelion.org]

[rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org] [rebelion.org]

15:40
At The Farm Again!
» ‎ Baghdad Bacon & Eggs (iraq)

I'm here at the farm again. Hopefully this will be the last time for a long time. I've brought my new camera with me too. So hopefully, there'll be lots of pictures to post.
I was certain that I had things to mention here on this blog, but nothing's coming to mind right now. It's also been about two hours that I've had this page open to type something in it.
My visit here is limited to tying up some loose-ends that I've left behind and then I'll take back Nahida and Fozzy to Baghdad. I'll get Nahida to help me out sort out my junk.
Cigarettes are so boring. I should have brought my stash with me. I'm trying to quit smoking and so far I've doing pretty well, getting myself stuck at home without any lying around. Except that today, I find myself with a stockpile of cigarettes from my last visit.
My health's not doing so great. The other day, I took a generic Viagra gel thing and got myself a proper boner and not the half hearted kind that I have been getting of late. That was fun. Quitting cigarettes should help achieve the same effect. On the other hand, I've been eating like a pig and should watch out for diabetes.
Mentally, I'm doing alright. I'm not sure if I've got the patience to deal with farmer complaints tomorrow but hopefully I'll be able to deal with them using the repertoire developed over the time dealing with them.
I was supposed to figure out why I'm afraid to go back to the U.K.. In summary, the reasons are that I worry that I might not survive there, that my life there will be lonelier than the life I have here and that I probably will find it hard to secure a career considering my lack of skills and experience.
It's getting late and my phone's about to die.

15:35
Anti-Ba3ath protests in Baghdad and Basra
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

'An emergency session of Parliament called by Mr. Maliki to deal with the crisis failed to muster a quorum on Sunday and was postponed. Tensions over the dispute flared elsewhere, as thousands of protesters attended anti-Baathist rallies in Baghdad and Basra organized by Mr. Maliki’s political organization, the Dawa Party.

The Baghdad rally was broadcast at length on state television, showing Mr. Maliki’s aides denouncing those sympathetic to the Baath Party, which has been banned in Iraq since Mr. Hussein’s overthrow in 2003.

One protester waved an American flag with the word “Baath” in Arabic replacing the stars, an indication of the fiercely anti-American oratory that Mr. Maliki and his supporters have used since the crisis began last month. In an unusually undiplomatic exchange, Mr. Maliki’s government has accused the American ambassador, Christopher R. Hill, of interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs by trying to put pressure on the judiciary to reinstate the candidates, which the American Embassy disputed.

Those who attended the rallies fulminated against the Baath Party, warning that its supporters were plotting to return to power. “Even if my finger was a Baathist, I would amputate it,” said one tribal leader at the Baghdad rally, Aidan Salman Hayawi.'

15:22
Jobs In Baghdad
» ‎ Baghdad Bacon & Eggs (iraq)

So I've been looking for a job and I've found a few links to job postings that might be useful to other Iraqis that have a good working knowledge in English and fluent Arabic (what I don't have).
American Embassy They seem to come up with new stuff every week. Busy people!
USAID: Assistance for Iraq Probably also worth checking regularly.
British Embassy in Baghdad... I haven't seen anything posted here, but who knows maybe someday.
International Organization for Migration
If I come across others I'll try to remember posting them up and if anyone has any suggestions feel free to leave them in the comments section.

13:33
Election crisis, the U.S. sending out two contradictory signals
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

The plan is very simple; make as much noise as possible and the Americans will accept the “J and A” decisions (and will recognize the election results).

At least it worked with Talabani, who tries to synchronize his position with the Kurdish Alliance saying today:

The Baathists appeared again, their return to the political process in Iraq is a major threat, their current movement designed to win the sympathy of Arab public opinion to start a military coup in Iraq.

Some kind of “cold-war” between Sectarian parties and the U.S. ambassador in Iraq “Christopher Hill”. Hill told the media that the U.S. will continue to withdraw its troops from Iraq gradually according to the agreement, but its role will in Iraq will continue according to the Agreements signed between the two countries.

Orchestrating demonstrations in Baghdad and Basra, UIA threatened to boycott the election, threats to postpone the election, and Sami Al-Askari — Maliki’s “State of Law” MP — threatened to fire all the members of the Appeal Court if they do not resign. These actions also worked forcing the Appeal Court to review the names of the excluded politicians before the election.

The U.S. sending out two contradictory signals

Washington expresses its opinion to the Iraqis on what is happening recently in Baghdad, managing to resolve the current crisis, giving two contradictory signals.

The first method characterized by courtesy and decency when Biden visits Baghdad for dialogue with Iraqi leaders, tries to generalize the U.S. position of the rejection attitude of the exclusion of the some politicians and the willing to integrate the Baathists and other opponents in the political process if accepted.

While the Iraqi government and in particular Maliki stands against this integrate even if the Baathists accept the political process. Biden in his last visit to Baghdad avoided the clash with Maliki, who is supported by the other Shiite factions despite the many differences with him.

Biden also avoided to appear supportive to Sunnis and gave the impression in public that his wishes did not exceed that elections are fair and transparent, and he is with the “J and A” decisions in one condition: “to be legal and constitutional”.

However, the second way to deal with the election crisis, Obama and Biden told Vice-President Hashemi what they did not say clearly in Baghdad .. that Washington is against the “J and A” decisions .. But the U.S. can not prevent the exclusion based on crimes approved by the law, but the U.S. is looking to solve the crisis before the election in a manner that ensures the protection of the rights of the voters and the candidates, according to the Department of Near East and North Africa spokesman Joe Sullivan.

A message Al-Hashemi wanted it to be heard in Baghdad, but he didn’t want to say it himself. The next day U.S. ambassador in Iraq Christopher Hill repeated the above saying that “J and A” process is mismanaged.

13:22
Iraqi Jews made mistakes too
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

' "During the mother's pregnancy with Saddam Hussein, his father died, and another son died when he was only 12 years old. She both tried to commit suicide and to have an abortion."

As the story goes, Saddam's mother, Subha, was prevented from killing herself and her unborn child by a compassionate family of Iraqi Jews. That family is now reported to be living in Israel, where it may think itself the tool of some huge cosmic joke. In any case, it does not seek publicity for its act of kindness.'

11:57
Election Confusion
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

There are reports that the parliament reinstated the banned candidates today. I honestly don't get it because when I watched the government station al-Iraqiya TV I thought they said they postponed decision making until tomorrow. That's why I didn't think the decision was final. Who knows? Maybe the candidates are back on the banned list just for today.

I talked with a friend who has a pretty good job in the government. He thinks we should all relax because the outcome of the election is clear. He supports the prime minister's State of Law party because he really believes Nouri Al Maliki is best for Iraq. He expects Al Maliki to win next month's vote. He explained that even if Ayad Allawi, Maliki's strongest challenge, would win the vote, Allawi could not get enough support inside the parliament to accomplish anything. Al Maliki could easily form a coalition, he said, with the Shiite Alliance and the Kurds. My friend said there is no way the Kurds or the Shiite Alliance would join up with Allawi. He thinks it's a done deal and there is no reason to worry about the outcome of the vote.

I asked whether Allawi could win by some miracle turnout of secular people. My friend said anything's possible, but Allawi's group would have to win 100 seats in parliament, which he does not believe Allawi could manage. He said Maliki would win, and it's great because after serving another four years Maliki would have to leave. The constitution does not permit presidents for life. "We're nothing like the other countries that have unofficial monarchies," he listed the Syrian Assad dynasty, the Egyptian Mubaraks, the Lebanese Hariris, and so on.

I don't know what to think. My friend is a smart guy, but he very much would like to keep his job. If another government comes in, he would be replaced by someone of the winning party. He might well be right. Guess we'll find out in one month.

4:57

Democracy

» ‎ Inside Iraq (iraq)

3:47
Out of the Qomqom*
» ‎ attawie (iraq)

I'm bored, dizzy and sick of being sick. Well dizzy because I've been playing this weird game called First-Person Tetris. Last time I wrote I spent the previous weeks sick in bed. Well, now I'm feeling better.

Little progress in my study as I can't find the right people to answer my questions. I need managers/ employees in UAE, who are willing to use, or already using Intranet Blogs in their organizations. Since I can't find people in such category, my advisor said it's going to be an exploratory study. But still I need managers who are willing to gather and attend a focused group discussion where we can talk and answer the questions of the study.

My MS-office word is giving me hard time. I'm not able to add the tables of index, references, figures, among many other things. So it's really boring and time consuming thing to do it manually. I still have to edit the literature review grammatically, and finish paraphrasing the previous studies section, let alone writing the last two chapters.

I've always loved my study, loved reading books and even better writing my own philosophy regarding what I read and what I'm really interested in i.e writing a thesis; BUT (yes a big but here) this is different.

My life seems upside-down. I have a lot in mind; projects and plans. Yet I feel my life is pending and I'm spending my days just waiting. it feels like gazing at a white wall with nothing in mind, but this wall is full of scratches and sketches of my thoughts, and they are getting messy and crowded.

***

oh, I almost forgot! Today was my father's birthday and as usual, Atta Crocker backed a chocolate cake. No photos this time. we ate it before I could take a picture.

Happy Birthday dad, even though I know you don't read my blog but I'm sure mom will tell you I wrote :)

* Qomqom: the bottle where the jinn are kept .. but in Arabic the word is uses for people who hide away for a while.
P.S. don't over play the game I gave in the link. it's really .. no healthy :|

That's all for now
I hope you can make sense out of this post

February 06, 2010
19:50
Does Islam allow dissent?
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

An interesting discussion about how multiculturalism has turned into multicultural relativism in many parts of the world. We should not appease the backward clerics and those who seek to squash dissent.
19:29
Former Fedayeen Saddam should not be allowed in govt
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

I don't know about banning Baathists, as Baathism is merely an ideology. But Fedayeen Saddam were criminals. Read this to understand how.

The blacklist was compiled last month by an integrity and accountability committee, sparking tensions between the country's Shiite majority and its Sunni Arab former elite.

It includes -- both Sunnis and Shiites -- suspected Baathists and alleged members of Saddam's once deadly Fedayeen (Men of Sacrifice) militia and Mukhabarat intelligence division.

I learned from Nir Rosen's article 4 years ago that many members of the Mahdi Army were former members of the Fedayeen Saddam. Until then I thought Fedayeen Saddam could only be Sunni Arab. I did not think that a Shiite could murder a fellow Shiite for the sake of Saddam, for money. Sadly I was wrong.

19:27
A Snapshot of Iran's Role in Igniting Sectarianism in Iraq.
» ‎ An Arab Woman Blues - Reflections in a sealed bottle... (iraq)

I just received a copy of this leaked confidential official Iraqi memo addressed from the ministry of Interior to the commander of the armed forces. I will translate it for you. It will give you an insight into Iranian operatives in U.S occupied Iraq.

Text :

The head of the Kerbala operations, informed us on 5.2.2010 that at 10 pm the Kerbala security forces arrested a woman taking pictures of the security posts responsible for the protection of the Imam Hussein shrine.
She had in her possession a Sony video camera. When they tried to search her personal belongings, she objected, claiming that these were personal photos. A policewoman was called in, to conduct the search. She found a 2 minute video film of a car bomb explosion that took place in the city of Kerbala. Subsequent interrogation revealed that this woman is an Iranian national, by the name of Alwiya Ghalam Taki -- holding an Iranian passport-- number 10564612. When asked as to the contents of her camera, she denied knowing anything about the filming of the explosion. She then requested the immediate contact with the bureau of Sayyed Ammar Al-Hakeem (head of ISCI) in Kerbala. Sayyed Ali Al-Hakeem came to the security operations office of Kerbala, inquiring as to the reasons for her arrest. A memo was then signed for her release, a copy of which was sent to the minister of the Interior in Baghdad and another copy to his unit of operations, as per the minister's order.

And here is the memo in Arabic

18:45
The problem with Islam in Europe
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

This guy is angry. I don't blame him. Europe is too liberal for fundamentalist Muslims.
17:26
The "ideology is whatever Saddam says it is"
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Sharp: By the early 1950s a teenaged Saddam was demonstrating against the government. Like countless other Iraqis, he was expressing a general sense of resentment against British colonial rule and Iraq's domination by rich landowners. Pan-Arabism was also on the rise---the movement to bring Arab states together into one big nation. In 1958 a revolution overthrew Iraq's British-backed monarchy. The change ushered in a chaotic and violent decade. By this time Saddam Hussein had joined the pan-Arabist Baath Party. In 1959 he and fellow Baathists tried to assassinate Iraq's new military leader General Abdel Karim Kassem. The attempt failed and Saddam Hussein was forced to flee the country. Four years later he came back, just after the Baathists did manage to kill Kassem.

They showed their ruthless side, parading the general's bullet-riddled body on television. But the Baathists were thrown out of power nine months later. The years after this, the mid-60's, were critical ones for Saddam Hussein. He linked up with his one of his uncle's cousins, now high up in the Baath Party. Historian Charles Tripp says Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr and his young sidekick made quite a team.

Tripp: "Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr was very much an old style regimental officer. And Saddam Hussein was not an officer, was not in the army, but was an excellent "street organizer" I think is the phrase often used euphemistically which meant someone who could organize the beating up of opponents, demonstrations, street violence, who had his ear to the ground in ways that Ahmad Hasan al Bakr couldn't."

Sharp: The Baath Party returned to power for good in 1968. Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr became president. Saddam Hussein quickly emerged as his right hand man. And he turned out to be more than just a party thug. He was also methodical, and politically astute. He took over the state security apparatus. Then he and Bakr began to eliminate their rivals. Some were executed, some were shipped off to diplomatic posts, some were simply outmanoeuvered. Even as they consolidated their power, the Baathist leaders were intent on modernizing their country. And shaking off foreign influence.

Excerpt from President Bakr's Oil Speech 1972: "...Patriots and progressives, in the Arab homeland and in the entire world, in waging decisive battle against the oil monopolies our revolution is taking forward positions in face-to-face clashes with imperialism and its monopolies, to carry out an honorable patriotic and national duty..."

Sharp: President Bakr announced the nationalization of the Iraqi oil industry in 1972. His message was "Arab Oil for the Arabs." A year later fuel prices shot up. Iraq's oil revenues quadrupled. The Baathist regime poured its new money into the military, but also into education and infrastructure. Roads were built, villages electrified, literacy campaigns launched. Iraq became a modern, urban state with a substantial middle class. But if Iraq was modernizing on the surface, behind the scenes something far more primitive was unfolding. Saddam Hussein turned out to be merciless in his quest for power. In 1979 he made his move on his old patron, Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr. Hussein forced his relative to resign and took over the presidency himself. No sooner had he done so than he purged the party's Revolutionary Command Council. Hussein announced the discovery of a plot against himself and the Baathist regime. Then he held a kind of show trial, which he videotaped. The footage shows party members gathered in a large auditorium. Saddam Hussein is on stage, smoking a cigar. The alleged plot leader confesses his crime. Then he reads out the names of his supposed co-conspirators. As their names are called out they are led from the hall to be arrested and shot. Members of the audience shout out their allegiance to Saddam Hussein...

Archival Audio of 1979 Meeting

Tripp: "You notice the mounting hysteria as nobody knows quite who's name is going to be called out next. And so of course this means that the survivors cheer even more frenziedly for Saddam Hussein. It's a very chilling documentary. But Saddam Hussein wanted that to be seen. This was an exercise of power which he would use to impress upon the surviving Baathists in Iraq that he had absolute control over their lives and deaths."

Kanan Makiya: " The whole thing is like theatre except it happens to be real."

Sharp: Kanan Makiya is a prominent Iraqi writer and dissident. He's also seen the footage---and researched what happened next.

Makiya: "And when the firing squad is assembled to execute these so-called traitors who does he use but the remaining members of the Revolutionary Command Council and his own ministers and so on to implicate them in a sense in his own rise to power. Because that is the event upon which he cements his own presidency."

Sharp: By this point any political ideology Saddam Hussein once adhered to seemed to have vanished. Fear became the key to his rule. Historian Phebe Marr says Pan-Arabism had given way to Saddamism.

Marr: "This is a one-man regime, it's more of a personal dictatorship in which we find the cult of Saddam. And yes it's in the name of the Baath Party and yes there's some kind of ideology but the ideology is whatever Saddam says it is."
15:16
History of Middle East Oil
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

I have found "Hidden Wars of Desert Storm" on YouTube. Watch it to understand the history of the relationship between the West and oil-producing Middle Eastern countries. Watch Part 2 to see American Ambassador April Glaspie (at 2:25) say at a press conference in 1990 that the US has no "defense or security commitments to Kuwait" - that was just six days before Saddam invaded Kuwait. Watch closely the expression on her face as she says this.

I wrote about "Hidden Wars of Desert Storm" in my post "The First American War Against Iraq".

Points of clarification about the documentary:

1) The Soviet Union was still in the process of collapsing when Saddam invaded Kuwait in August 1990.

2) Abdul Karim Qasim had already nationalized most of Iraq's oil fields by the time he was assassinated in 1963.

3) Abdul Karim Qasim was assassinated by Baathists in 1963, but the Baathists held power for only nine months. Ahmed Hassan al Bakr took over in the 1968 coup. Bakr appointed Saddam as VP and nationalized the remainder of Iraq's oil by 1972.

In 1963, the Baath Party successfully overthrew the government and took power which allowed Saddam to return to Iraq from exile. While home, he married his cousin, Sajida Tulfah. However, the Baath Party was overthrown after only nine months in power and Saddam was arrested in 1964 after another coup attempt. He spent 18 months in prison, where he was tortured, before he escaped in July 1966.

During the next two years Saddam became an important leader within the Baath Party. In July 1968, when the Baath Party again gained power, Saddam was made vice-president.

9:37
A promise to write ..
» ‎ Days of My Life (iraq)

this is a short note to let you know that i am ok .. I've been so busy and couldn't write, but i hope i'll have some spare time in the coming days because i miss writing a LOT , beside i have a lot to talk about (exams, holiday, my birthday, visit to baghdad , election, and much more with pictures )
Sunshine..

1:06
NYT Sinks Lower
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

The New York Times really should stop and think about itself and how far it has sunk. Its editorial about the Iraq elections has such an unbelieveably condescending tone that I nearly fell off my chair when I read it. For a paper that contributed greatly to the pre-war hysteria to take a schoolteacherish tone with another country is just too much. I wonder what makes their editorial writers believe they are so superior to an entire country.

The NYT has really gone downhill. I can't believe how much it misreads Iraq. I recall the other day when the suicide bombers attacked the hotels, the NYT story said the attackers appeared to target foreigners when they hit the hotels. No Iraqi would make that claim because only Iraqis were killed. Sure the attack was confusing, but the targets were as always Iraqis. The NYT might view Iraqis as inferior beings, but that tone does nothing to contribute to the image of the United States overseas.

February 05, 2010
19:37
Short Reflections on the Iraqi Resistance...
» ‎ An Arab Woman Blues - Reflections in a sealed bottle... (iraq)

I feel a little guilty underestimating the formidable resistance put up by the true Iraqis.
This is not so much a Mea Culpa..ok, maybe it is...but not only...

Two things made me open my eyes...

One is a video called the war within on US "combat stress" or PTSD, which I urge to watch.

There are many angles to this video. For this post, the angle I will stress on is the Resistance put up by the Iraqis in the face of the Occupier.

No media outlet will tell you about it, but the testimony of U.S soldiers suffering from "combat stress" does.

Second thing, is information on the icasualties website, run by an American by the name of Michael White.

On this website there are two tables. One for Iraq and one for Afghanistan.

In Iraq the "official " US and other (as in occupier) casualties are to this date, i.e since 2003 -- 4'693.

In Afghanistan, the "official" US and other (as in occupier) casualties to this date , i.e since 2001 - 1'624.

These figures led me to the following :

1) U.S occupation of Afghanistan has been around longer (2 years) than the Iraqi one and with less casualties for the Occupying powers.

2) There were more surges in Iraq and a greater total number of US and other forces deployed than in Afghanistan. At one point the total number was 650'000 troops and other personnel. (US/UK/contractors/special forces...etc...)

3) There was and there is in Iraq not less than 13 intelligence agencies (spying networks) working for different countries.

4) There is in Iraq 43 armed militia groups tied to the Shiite sectarian parties.

5) There is in Iraq 126 "contractors and security "companies

6) There is in Iraq a much greater number of dead, maimed and exiled than in any other occupied country.

7) There is the geography - Iraq for the most part is a "flat"country except for the Northern parts controlled by the Kurds. i.e meaning that from a military strategic point of view it is much easier to spot "the enemy" in comparison to Afghanistan which is a mountainous geography.

8) There are no Shiite death squads, no Al-Qaeda, no overt Iranian involvement (as in Quds Brigades and other Iranian special forces) in Iraq as in Afghanistan.

9) There was/is no ethnic/sectarian cleansing in Afghanistan as there was in Iraq.

10) There are no Kurds backed by Israel in Afghanistan as in Iraq.

11) There is no sizeable Christian and other minorities in Afghanistan as in Iraq i.e Afghanistan is more homogeneous than Iraq.

12) There are no oil fields and Afghanistan is not the second largest oil reserve in the world like Iraq.

And I can go on and on...about levels of development, infrastructures, state institutions, armies, industries, education, history, etc....

This is NOT a comparative study between Iraq and Afghanistan.

My aim is to point out the following :

When mainstream media talks of the Afghan resistance, it refers to them as the Talibans. When the mainstream media refers to the Iraqi Resistance, it refers to them as "insurgents and terrorists."

Again, go back to the casualty figures I noted above....taking into consideration, all the points I have enumerated ....

Why do you think it is so ? Why do you think that the Iraqi Resistance has been so demonized, occulted and denigrated as some "terrorist" "insurgent" force...why is it that the Talibans have not been vilified to the same extent ?

Why is it that the Iraqi Resistance has received no support from anyone, for 7 years now. Why does it stand alone with no backing ? And with epithets stuck to it "terrorist" "jihadist" saddamist" and the rest....

Why has the Iraqi resistance been so denigrated, so abandoned, so neglected, with ZERO support while other resistance movements like Hamas or Hezbollah who do NOT face as a formidable opponent in terms of numbers, weapons, agents, contractors, etc...and whose social base has NOT faced as many dead, maimed and exiled --- gather so much support and not the Iraqi Resistance ?

The valiant, heroic, noble, Iraqi Resistance is at the front line --- at the front line of the battle field, facing the most "mighty" power on earth...the most mighty power with its technology, its arms, its sophisticated weaponry its thousands of agents, its multi million dollar budgets, its reconnaissance units, its satellites, its "civil" servants, its NGOs, even its "peace" groups...

So why has not the Iraqi Resistance received the praise it deserves ? Its resistance to an illegal, vile, savage, barbaric occupation is proven in figures. It has outnumbered Hezbollah of Iran, Hamas and the Talibans...

So why is she shelved into forgetfulness ? Why is she not given the respect she deserves ? Why is she not crowned with bravado like others ? And most importantly why was she left alone for 7 years, with zero support from anyone ?

Why is Iraq and her sons and daughters so demeaned, so denigrated, so underestimated, in their struggle, in their efforts, in their plight...?

I gave you facts, I gave you figures...

What is your excuse now ?

19:14
The Hurt Locker vs Avatar
» ‎ In Iraq, sex is like snow (iraq)

Avatar and The Hurt Locker are going to go head to head next month for the Best Picture and the Best Director in what looks to be one of the most interesting Oscar battles. In one corner we have the box office dominating, big budget Avatar and in the other the gritty and critically acclaimed The Hurt Locker. The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars, won Best Director and
Best Picture LAFCA Award and Critics Choice Award while Avatar is nominated for 9 Oscars,
won 6 Critics Choice Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards. And let's not forget that filmmakers James Cameron, the director of Avatar, and Kathryn Bigelow, the director of The Hurt Locker, were once married, which makes it even more interesting!

I think this is my first time that I post something about movies and cinematic works here in my blog and as far as I am concerned I have seen the two films recently and, to be honest, I liked The Hurt Locker more because it is more related to me and my world than that Sci-fi movie. Despite liking Avatar my feet are firmly in the The Hurt Locker camp as it was the best movie of 2009 in my opinion. The Hurt Locker the best American feature film yet made about the war in Iraq. Finally some genuine Iraqi actors as Iraqis instead of Indians and Egyptians. Kathryn Bigelow met some Iraqi refugees when shooting the film in Amman and she casted refugees who had theatrical backgrounds "SPOILER ALERT" such as Suhail Aldabbach, who plays the role of a forced suicide bomber at the end of the film. And because the movie was shot in Jordan within miles of Iraqi borders, the scenery is more alike to that in Iraq.

Avatar is deserving of all the praise that it has gotten but I'm of the opinion that, while it deserves to be nominated for Best Picture, it doesnt deserve to win due to the formulaic nature of its story and bizzare characters. They were very one-dimensional. The men in The Hurt Locker have a lot more depth to them, in my opinion which elevates the movie to a higher
place than Avatar. Avatar, once stripped of its visual splendors, is only several steps above a film like transformers 2 in the cinematic food chain. If The Hurt Locker wins, then it will definitely make the Oscars much more exciting. In the past few years, the award has gone to smaller indie films (i.e. Slumdog Millionaire, Crash, No Country for Old Men) so I think The Hurt Locker has a pretty good chance of winning. However, the only way that will happen is if Avatar wins everything else (technical awards, director, etc.) and then they might give The Hurt Locker the big prize. Anyway, the winners will be announced 7th March so let's wait and see who will win the best picture award this year.

16:01
Iraqi govt gets serious about security
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

The Iraqi government is finally getting serious about security. Is it because elections are just 4 weeks away and the government has been exposed as fools for believing in magic wands?

'The American military is rushing delivery of dozens of bomb-detection dogs to Iraq after accusations that widely used mechanical devices are ineffective to pinpoint explosives at checkpoints and other search sites, The New York Times said.

“Army Maj. Sylvester Wegwu said the first 25 of 145 trained bomb-sniffing dogs are due to arrive Friday in Baghdad,” the newspaper said.

“Another 120 bomb-sniffing dogs are scheduled to arrive in Iraq over the next 12 months in Iraq.”

”We have more requests than we have dogs and handlers,” added police Brig. Gen. Mohammad Mesheb Hajea, who is in charge of the training program.'

Thanks Montrose Toast

Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie YAY!

15:47
It’s Not Over
» ‎ Talisman Gate بـاب الطلــسم (iraq)

As many of you may have heard, the Appeals Committee of the Accountability and Justice Commission (AJC) has deferred looking into the cases of the barred candidates until after the election. This decision has no legal standing, even though it is being celebrated by some DC analysts and, of course, the would-be beneficiaries of the decision. In the interest of not having you all scratching your heads as this decision gets overturned by the Higher Federal Court and the parliament (gathering for an emergency session on Sunday) in the next few days, let me explain the legality of what is happening:

-Article 49/3 of the Constitution says that the requirements for candidacy to the parliament shall be legislated by a law, and that law was the Elections Law of November 2005 (amended in late 2009). Article 6/2 of the old and amended Election Law states that a candidate for parliament cannot run if he or she is barred according to the legal frameworks of De-Ba’athification.

-The AJC law does not cover, in any of the language, the procedures for vetting candidates for parliament. Article 6 is tailored to address the Ba’athist and security backgrounds of state employees, and nowhere does it address candidates for public office.

-The Appeals Committee is part of the AJC law, and it can only adjudicate on the cases of state employees barred according to Article 6. It gives 30 days for the employee to file a case against dismissal procedures or the such, and must respond in 60 days. This is where the decision to postpone barring the candidates until after elections comes from, but it has no legal standing: the Appeals Committee cannot look into the cases of candidates for parliament since that is not in the wording of the law, even though it may be in the spirit of the law.

-The Constitution trumps all other legal considerations, and it is very clear that it was meant to deny Ba’athists a return to public life. Since the AJC law does not give barred candidates any legal recourse, their only option is Article 165/6 of the Constitution that calls for forming a parliamentary committee to oversee and regulate the decisions of the De-Ba’athification Commission (and hence the AJC that replaced it on paper). This committee de-facto exists, and it is the De-Ba’athification Committee of the parliament that is headed by the hard line Sadrist, Falah Shanshal. By law, this is the only avenue available for appeals or to redress the decisions of the AJC as relates to candidates for parliament. The decisions of the committee can only be formalized by a simple majority vote in parliament.

-Saleh al-Mutlag is clearly in violation of Article 7/1 of the Constitution for glorifying, propagating and generally being an apologist for the Ba’ath Party (defined by the AJC law as the one that took power in 1968, but in the Constitution as the one that ruled during the “Saddamist” era beginning in 1979 to 2003). However, Article 7/1 stipulates that this ban should be legislated by a distinct law, and such a law was never written, discussed and/or passed by parliament. So technically, Mutlag has not violated a law, even though he has violated the spirit of the Constitution. Article 8 of the AJC law addresses those who propagate for the Ba’ath but punishes only those (state employees) who were beneficiaries of the AJC law, and this again does not include al-Mutlag. So, he’s in the clear. But the only body, by law, that can judge that he hasn’t violated any laws is the parliamentary committee that I mentioned above, not the Appeals Committee.

I’m in Baghdad, which is nice and empty since millions seem to have strolled down to Karbala for the 40th Day Commemoration of Ashura. No traffic jams, no undue waits at checkpoints. Will try to write more about what I’m hearing.

15:46
When should the US get out of Iraq?
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Two years ago I asked "when should the US get out of Iraq?" Those were opinions from a few pundits. When I started this blog I added two polls (not scientific) to my sidebar, one asking "when should the US withdraw from Iraq?" With 1,481 votes, almost half believe the U.S. should stay in Iraq for "as long as it takes." One commenter asked "For as long as it takes to do what?" Good question.

On one hand, many people feel that the US should stay in Iraq to ensure that Iran does not take over Baghdad completely. On the other hand, many Iraqis believe that the US should stay in Iraq to ensure that Saddamists do not return to dominate. In an email exchange with my friend Alaa the Mesopotamian, he wrote:

I have lived with Baathists in Iraq and worked with them. I must admit that like most people in Iraq today we would be prepared to forgive many of them if they really felt that there was something wrong of the Baathist era. Some are quite normal people and had to join the party as we all know, for purely opportunist reasons. Some could not avoid it, for sure because of Baathist policy of demanding membership for army people, for University teachers, for a teaching job etc. etc. So like they say, if these were not involved in any crimes, I suppose they have to be reintegrated and given their civil rights. The problem is that the Baathists as a whole cannot be trusted. Their pretense of wanting to join the political process is not just innocent desire to join the new democratic process. Mostly it is an attempt at infiltration with a coup in the back of their minds. Believe me no one knows them better than me. I managed to avoid joining for years despite the fact that I used to be employed in the most sensitive kind of jobs.

I dont really believe, that anyone who does not really want to join couldnt avoid it. However, it will be most gratifying and a dream if these people can really change. The most terrifying thing from my perspective is the question of what will happen once the Americans do withdraw as is expected. I have talked about that and I am very apprehensive about the future. You left Iraq early in your life and you dont really know these people. In the words of someone I knew who was himself a high ranking member and left them, words that I cannot forget: "The Baath party is an organisation for criminals". Who do you think is doing all these acts of terrorism in Iraq? Al-Qaeda? AQ was always a tool in their hands, admittedly once out of control, but nowadays almost insignificant and what remains of them are entirely in the service of the Baathists and their allies. The Iraqi AQ members themselves were mostly ex-regime members. This is a fact that everybody knows and amply proved from the many arrests that have been made.

Well, with the Americans around, they will not dare stage any coup; but with the Americans out - Allah Yustur. [God have mercy]'

I believe we should be careful when labeling people "Baathist" and we should remember that the majority of Baathists did not participate in violent crimes. However, I can understand Alaa's perspective and I share his fears. I believe the Iraqi government should allow the neo-Baathists to run and participate in government, but the US should stay in Iraq until Iraqi security forces can stand on their own and can defend against any threat.

Even in the case of a complete withdrawal from Iraq, the US military will not be far away in Kuwait and Qatar.

14:54
A new Kurdish position
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

At least one source has said that the Supreme Federal Court gave its answer to the IHEC about the legality of “J and A”, and the answer (as you see in the image above) is; “J and A is an illegal institution”. The above is not confirmed and it could be part of Allawi’s “psycho-war” against the sectarian parties, but there are two confirmed developments today:

In a drastic change of position, the Kurdistan Regional Government released a statement says that the decision made by Appeals Court is a violation to the constitution and against the “J and A“‘s rules.

The significance about the above statement is that it challenges Jalal Talabani’s position, which is not only supportive to the Appeals Court but Talabani himself was the “brain” behind it.

It is very clear that Barzani wants to marginalize Talbani’s influence in the region, especially that from the 10 Kurds included by the “J and A“‘s decision there are at least 7 Talabani’s PUK Party members:

- Mosul candidates (Hussein Ali Ahmed Hussein, Abdul Rahman Mulla Mohammed Taher Khalid, Hussein Ali Mohammed Ahmed).

- Baghdad candidate (Samir Jihad Ahmad Karim, Abdul-Ghafour Karim Ali Ghafoor and Abdul-Kader Abdul Kader Mohammed Abdullah).

- Wasit Province candidate (Abbas Ibrahim Taha Yassin).

The Kurdistan Regional Government released a call for all the Kurdish Alliance MPs to participate in the Parliament session coming Sunday, and this lead us to the second development.

Confirmed today by Al-Sumaria, the rumor I reported yesterday about Maliki’s plan to withdraw the confidence from the Appeals Court is one of the two subjects will be discussed in Sunday’s Parliament session, the other subject is the U.S. interference in Iraq’s affairs.

Al-Dawa leader Ali Al-Adeeb threatened today saying that the Parliament approved the Appeals Court and the Parliament can also withdraw this approval.

Allawi’s Al-Iraqiya’s List’ politicians are communicating with the other Parliament blocs trying to prevent the Sunday’s parliamentary session, arguing that this will create a new crisis.

9:02
UPDATE 3. URGENT - Hiba Al-Shamaree Iraqi Writer/Blogger.
» ‎ An Arab Woman Blues - Reflections in a sealed bottle... (iraq)

Following my posts :

Main Story. here

Update no.1 here

Update no.2 here

I have received fresh information concerning the arrest and detention of Hiba Al-Shamaree, whose real name is Hanan Al-Mashadani, 33 years old, and a medical doctor, arrested on the 20th of January 2010, upon her arrival in Baghdad from Jordan.

Hiba was arrested after her laptop and her mobile phone were searched and her articles as well as her medical files/reports were read. Articles that are critical of the present government and medical reports that point to the failure of the health system due to endemic corruption of the current government.

Hiba Al-Shamaree was arrested and then transferred to the notorious, infamous Al-Kadhimiya prison, the sectarians favorite detention center where formidable torture and executions regularly take place.

She now detained by Nouri Al-Maliki's special forces - guards and secret service men

As I am writing now, Hiba Al-Shamaree is being tortured, raped and threatened to be killed...

Are you going to do anything about that, in the name of your Democracy ?

3:11
I'm happy
» ‎ The Sun Can't Be Seen Except in The Clear Sky (iraq)

This morning, a taste of happiness.Just few days ago, i was wondering about it, and this morning, I tested it. And I really hope, it will never run away.I started the day with a wonderful call. Then, I received a text message, my friends are back together now, M and C, they know themselves ;)I just want to tell them, you are both great and wonderful, but you are greater and more wonderful when

1:08
Press Miss the Story Again
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

According to the press, another disaster looms on Iraq's horizon because the election campaign has been postponed from Feb 7 to Feb 12. Of course it is true that IHEC delayed matters until after the emergency parliament meeting on Sunday, but the delay hardly means the country is in big trouble.

Iraq has no shortage of problems, but the press hang on to one detail and blow it up out of proportion instead of looking into more serious matters. For example, sure the campaign has been postponed, but what does it mean effectively? Some posters already are on the walls, and candidates are on TV several times a day talking about how much better they are than the next guy.

What are Iraqis talking about? One thing is that Prime Minister Al Maliki is in a state of panic. He just said [Arabic] officially that he will not permit the U.S. ambassador to overstep his diplomatic limits. That statement was made because the ambassador said the U.S. welcomes the decision to let the banned names back on the ballot and that Washington supports allowing Baathists to take part in the vote.

Another thing Iraqis are talking about is candidate Ayad Allawi questions the justice and accountability commission, which is behind the banning of the candidates. He called [Arabic] the panel "secret police," because of their shadowy existence. "We don't know who they are and where they get their money from," Allawi said. It may sound like too much detail to the western reporters here in Iraq, but to Iraqis, this is serious stuff.

To the outsider, Allawi ally Mutlak is a sign of Saddam's return to Iraqi rule. To locals, he simply strengthens Allawi's ticket. This does not mean that removing Saddam was a bad idea. It means democracy is taking hold. Politicians are forming unlikely alliances to strengthen themselves. It might not sound like much to outsiders, but to Iraqis it's a real change from politicians shooting their way to the presidential palace.

0:37
Candidates will have 24 days to campaign for election
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Candidates are not allowed to start campaigning until February 12th. The election is scheduled for March 7. That gives candidates exactly 24 days, if one includes February 12 and March 7, to campaign.

Iraq’s independent elections commission announced Thursday that the parliamentary elections campaign, scheduled to start Sunday, would be postponed for five days, as confusion reigned over an appeals court decision that overturned a ban on hundreds of candidates.

How can unknown candidates have any chance in this election if they have just 24 days to advertise themselves and talk to the Iraqi people? A one month campaign was already a tight squeeze. How can the Iraqi people get to know the candidates in just three weeks?

Meanwhile the well-known and wealthy candidates like Allawi have been effectively campaigning via the media for weeks now. Iraq Pundit notes that "Some posters already are on the walls, and candidates are on TV several times a day talking about how much better they are than the next guy." This is extremely unfair to lesser known candidates.

To many Iraqis, Maliki's government seems to be trying everything they can to undermine candidates who may pose a threat to the incumbents in charge.

Most people seem to agree that Iraq should get on with its election.
February 04, 2010
17:16
Justice for Saddamists better late than never
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Haydar al Kohei wrote a post about Fedayeen Saddam on trial in Baghdad for beheading three men in Nasriya in 1998:

The execution video, parts of which have since been uploaded on YouTube, was shown to members of the Ba’ath Party and Fedayeen paramilitaries on trial in Baghdad last Thursday and after one of the defendants closed his eyes in horror at the video the presiding Judge, Mahmoud al-Hassan, could no longer hold back his anger. While the video was still playing he remarked ‘Yes look away, as if you never saw it. Look how he closes his eyes. Go on close your eyes, close your eyes! It’s a sickening scene? Now you see? Now you see?’

The Judge orders the video to be stopped and returns his attention to the defendants, a few of which were present when the execution took place eleven years ago. He is furious at the men and tells them even if someone had killed his own father it would be difficult for anyone to carry out a murder in that fashion. He asks how they could have heard of such a thing and accepted it. He declares ‘will you say you didn’t hear? Will you say you didn’t know? Go on, let one of you tell me he didn’t know about this. We used to hear about the Fedayeen and their unit, which beheads people, but we have never seen. We have never seen with our own eyes.’

There was pin drop silence and no one dared to interrupt him. The Judge was visibly shaken by the video. Between his shouts, the only sound that can be heard is the weeping of the mother of Ehsan Hussain, who came to bear witness and had to watch every horrible moment all over again as the video was resumed. She cries as she watches the men dance around her son’s head. The video is then paused and an unmasked face becomes clearly discernible. His name is Falah and he is a member of the Fedayeen. He denies he beheaded any of the men but admits he was one of those celebrating the deaths of these ‘traitors’.

It saddens me to think this crime would not have happened had the US done the right thing in 1991 and removed Saddam and his sons from power. This should help explain why so many Iraqis fear the return of the Saddamists.

PS: Watch this video of the trial and of video of the beheading if you have the stomach for it.

12:05
Attempt to withdraw confidence from the Appeal Court, Al-Sadr’s condemnation statement
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

First, the decision made by the Appeals Court is very clear saying postpone JAC’s decision and not “cancellation” (image above is part of the decision).

Second, the election campaign officially postponed from 7 Feb to 12 Feb.

Third, I will bypass what is already reported by the news agencies.

It is possible to say that the actual election campaign started yesterday, because the Appeal Court decision will seriously affect the election results, and there is one thing very clear; this will not be in the interest of the Prime Minister –Maliki, who for the past two months tried “cover” JAC’s resolutions, and that will coast him his Sunni supporters and allies.

Reversing JAC’s decision gave Allawi’s Al-Iraqiya List and its allies Salih Al-Mutlaq, Naseer Al-Ani and Tariq Al-Hashemi (who cooked the cancellation of JAC decision in Washington) a big boost to kick start the election at the expense of Maliki’s “State of Law”.

As for INA, internal conflicts among its blocs (in an interview published today on Al-Hayat Al-Ja’afari accused Ammar Al-Hakim of taking decisions without consulting the coalition) reported on , internal conflicts among the Supreme Council members are started to weaken the Coalition.

All the (sectarian) Shiite parties are accusing Al-Hashemi of being behind this “plot”. Newspaper Al-Khaleej explains Hashemi’s role saying:

After his meeting with Obama’s Administration, the Americans were sure that the decisions of JAC will ignite the violence once again and will delay the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

The next day after Obama — Ah-Hashemi meeting, Washington wired its ambassador in Baghdad, Christopher Hill, to inform the Iraqi government that Obama administration will not recognize the results of the upcoming Iraqi elections in case of implementing JAC’s decision of the exclusion of nearly 700 candidates take place.

Among the jungle of accusation, notice that Maliki and Dawa Party kept themselves in the “safe side” targeting the U.S. ambassador Christopher Hill only, contrary to other sectarian Shiite Parties who targeted Obama’s Administration, Joe Biden and the U.S. ambassador.

Parliament speaker Al-Samari explained denied that he called the parliament for a special meeting, saying that was Maliki’s proposal to discuss the Appeals Court decision. Al-Samari asked Maliki about the goal of the parliament setting, then he requested a meeting with the four presidencies (the President office, he Judicial Council, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament). As for the reason behind his insistence on a meeting leaked reports on facebook says that Maliki wants to withdraw confidence from the Appeals Court.

But Sadrists MP Bahaa al-Araji went one step further saying that the decision made by Americans to cancel JAC’s decision is taken after a secret meeting with the Ba’ath Party.

Muqtada Al-Sadr also joined the “party”, releasing a statement uses harsh words accusing the government, directly attacking Dawa Party and interestingly Kurdish Parties saying that their mismanagement of Iraq’s affairs led to the return of the Baath party.

Where is the Iraqi constitution? .. Where are the freedom and democracy promises? .. Where are the instructions of our Supreme clerics? .. Where are the rules of the Iraqi official institutions? … A government who paves the way for the return of the Ba’ath Party, is a cursed government.

Also, words exchange between Abu Risha and (former para-medic, recently Sheikh) Hameed Al-Hayis (Sunni member joined INA).

Abu Risha said that Ahmad Al-Chalabi should also included in the de-Baathification decision, Al-Hayes criticized Abu Risha saying that he is connected to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the American CIA.

11:09
Banned List Still in the News
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

That feeling of relief about the upcoming elections was short-lived. Today Prime Minister Maliki's government protested the court's decision to lift the ban on the 500 or so names from the March 7 ballot. His spokesman called the decision illegal and said there will be an emergency debate in parliament on Sunday.

Saleh Al Mutlak, the most prominent name excluded by the justice and accountability committee, was on TV today talking about how fair the court's decision is. Most people would agree. Even those I know who will vote for Maliki said everyone's names should remain on the ballot. Yes, there are people who will vote for Maliki, especially those with government jobs.

Naturally Maliki's team protested the court decision. His State of Law party has been severely weakend in the last year. The Iraqis who gave him credit for returning a certain amount of security to the streets are now tired of his corrupt government. People want jobs, they want the economy to improve, they want their lives to improve.

The strongest challenge to Maliki is Allawi's Iraqi List, which includes Saleh Al Mutlak. Allawi's group is secular, and Allawi has a tough-guy image. Iraqis hope the tough-guy can crack down on the terrorists. This is of course the reason Maliki supports the ban on the 500 names. Another group who poses a challenge to Maliki is the Shiite Alliance. Though they have been weakened greatly because of the Alliance's ties to Iran, their appeal in the countryside is not to be underestimated. As a friend puts it, "they will vote according to what the Sayyed tells them." Sayyed is the title locals use when referring to their religious leaders. In other words, if Sayyed Sistani says vote for the Alliance, his followers will vote for the Alliance. If the Sayyed tells them its their religious duty to vote a certain way, they will follow his instructions.

Adel Abdul Mahdi was on TV talking confidently. Abdul Mahdi understands the impact religion has on the people outside the big cities, and he appears to believe his Shiite Alliance will win the vote. His group will do well especially if they join forces with the Kurds. But I just read that at least Masoud Barzani has a serious disagreement with Iran. If that story is true, he will not join the Alliance, which is Iran's team in Baghdad.

The AP story was typically misleading about this whole banned list of names issue. Its story said: "Many Sunnis believe the policy went too far — penalizing innocent people who had to join the Baath party to advance in their chosen careers or gain favors such as the right to study at top universities." An outsider might get the impression that only Sunnis were Baathists. The truth is all sorts of Iraqis joined the party for their careers and eduction. For example, Allawi and Abdul Mahdi were Baathists in their younger days. Naturally the AP and other mainstream media outlets prefer to catgorize Sunnis as Baathists and Shiites as pro-Iran religious fanatics, and Kurds as democracy lovers. And the MSM forgets about the rest of the Iraqis.

8:51
Now you see?
» ‎ Eye Raki (iraq)

It is 9am on December 8th 1998 in the city of Nasiriya in Southern Iraq. An order is given to Fedayeen Saddam – ‘Saddam’s Men of Sacrifice’ - to behead Abdul-Hassan Misbah, Ehsan Hussain and Mohammed Subhi. Their hands are tied behind their backs, their feet tied together and they are blindfolded. They are carried to a concrete block with their heads hanging over the road like sheep to the slaughter.

Fedayeen, over a dozen of them all dressed in black with masks covering their faces, crowd the condemned. They hold them in place and shift their bodies accordingly to get the ideal position. Before the victims are executed a member of the Fedayeen uses a set of tools to pull out their tongues and then proceeds to cut them. The three men seem resigned to their fate and do not put up any resistance. They do not shake, jolt or even twitch. It is almost as if they died before they died. Whilst one is having his tongue cut off the other is already being hacked to death by a sword-wielding Fedaye who starts from behind the neck until the head is decapitated.

Once they conclude with the heads the Fedayeen hold onto them as trophies and start dancing around them with the enjoyment, excitement and amusement you would expect in a wedding. Their bodies were not even returned to their families. When the mother went to the Fedayeen centre asking for her son she was told he was a traitor to his country and that his body should not just have been thrown to the dogs, but also burnt. The mother finally found her son’s body after Saddam was toppled. Head buried beside body.

This was just another day in Nasiriya.

The execution video, parts of which have since been uploaded on YouTube, was shown to members of the Ba’ath Party and Fedayeen paramilitaries on trial in Baghdad last Thursday and after one of the defendants closed his eyes in horror at the video the presiding Judge, Mahmoud al-Hassan, could no longer hold back his anger. While the video was still playing he remarked ‘Yes look away, as if you never saw it. Look how he closes his eyes. Go on close your eyes, close your eyes! It’s a sickening scene? Now you see? Now you see?’

The Judge orders the video to be stopped and returns his attention to the defendants, a few of which were present when the execution took place eleven years ago. He is furious at the men and tells them even if someone had killed his own father it would be difficult for anyone to carry out a murder in that fashion. He asks how they could have heard of such a thing and accepted it. He declares ‘will you say you didn’t hear? Will you say you didn’t know? Go on, let one of you tell me he didn’t know about this. We used to hear about the Fedayeen and their unit, which beheads people, but we have never seen. We have never seen with our own eyes.’

There was pin drop silence and no one dared to interrupt him. The Judge was visibly shaken by the video. Between his shouts, the only sound that can be heard is the weeping of the mother of Ehsan Hussain, who came to bear witness and had to watch every horrible moment all over again as the video was resumed. She cries as she watches the men dance around her son’s head. The video is then paused and an unmasked face becomes clearly discernible. His name is Falah and he is a member of the Fedayeen. He denies he beheaded any of the men but admits he was one of those celebrating the deaths of these ‘traitors’.

This was just another day in Baghdad.

6:38
Just talking..
» ‎ hnk's blog (iraq)

I don't know from where to start but I have been reading "the secret" so I will make a big jump over many things that happened (things that are a big source of negative thinking) .

I finally finished my 5th course in pharmacy college, I am now in the middle of the road, having only 5 courses left and being a real pharmacist *I hope*.

This course was so hard for me. I was really feeling unstable emotionally, psychology, and scholastically.*if there is such a word!?!??!!*.
I missed my cousin engagement party, many weddings and many happy events because I was studying for exam!! Well, I am doing exams more than doing anything else!!!.

Today, I found out that my Arabic tongue is getting worse!! Mom suggested it's due to studying in English, while my sister commented that I am not talking and I am not making a use of my Arabic!! Both not make a sense for me.

You can explain my absence from blog to being busy with school, but I even stopped writing in my diary!! I think there are many things that writing about them will not help you, and it's better to forget them and goes on like nothing had happened!! I know you are not understanding what I am talking about but neither do I *huhhh*

I did a Seminar in my class, in front of 100 of my collogues, and the Prof said to me "you was very very very good" ^__^ I was so scared and so eager in the same times. I was thinking of not wearing my contact lences in order to alleviate my stress threshold, but I did. And I didn't see anything anyway!!! *LOL*

I am the only student who did a seminar and who was not from the top 10 in the class, and that's make me feel proud of myself especially that I was better than few of them. * At least, that what I have been told!!* And will love to believe this :)

Best regards
Hadia

February 03, 2010
22:16
"We will never bow to terrorists"
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

'Sunni Islamist insurgents such as al-Qaeda frequently hit Shi'ite gatherings with suicide bombers, grenades and shootings in the hope of restarting the bloody sectarian strife that nearly tore Iraq apart in 2006-07.

Pilgrims in Kerbala complained bitterly that the government had failed to protect the millions of people gathered for the festival.

"When I left my house four days ago, I never stopped thinking about getting killed. I lost my brother last Ashura ... and I always say I could be next," said Jasim Mohammed, a civil servant, referring to another Shi'ite ritual, Ashura.

"We will never bow to terrorists. Today I'm coming to Kerbala to practice my rituals and soon I will vote with same determination." '
16:03
Iraq remains divided
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

'A revival of the Baath Party itself seems almost inconceivable now, but many of those challenging Mr. Maliki have appealed to Sunnis with sympathies to elements of the old regime, particular in the military and former government elite. Mr. Maliki himself has excoriated the Baath Party’s remnants in exile, accusing them of colluding with terrorist groups to carry out a series of devastating attacks since last August.

Many lawmakers accused the commission of settling scores on behalf of the Shiite-dominated parties, at the behest of Iran.

“The decision of the commission is a sword on my neck because of my opinions against Iran,” said Dhafir al-Ani, another Sunni who was disqualified.

Mr. Maliki himself made no immediate statement responding to the court’s decision.

Iraq remains so deeply divided that even establishing the rules for an election — which was supposed to happen in December and then in January — has been fraught for much of the last year, largely paralyzing the work of the Parliament. An election law stalled for months last year, only to passed, then vetoed, passed again and finally amended after another intense round of international intervention.'

14:51
Militia kidnapped a senior U.S. officer
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

A video clip of the kidnapped U.S. officer released by Asaib Al-Haq. Also important to add that the British hostage Alan Mcmenemy is still alive.

In yesterday post “Asaib Al-Haq: We still have a British and an American hostages”, Akram Al-Kaabi the leader of Asaib Al-Haq revealed that the militia keeps an American as a hostage (and a British).

Details revealed today that the organization has kidnapped of a senior U.S. officer in Baghdad over the past two days.

The source did not revealed the the name and the rank of the officer. But he pointed out that the abduction was in the Al-Khrik side (of the river).

The militia already threatened to return to armed confrontations unless the release of the detained leaders.

14:01
Candidates Back on Ballot
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

Most of us breathed a sigh of relief today after hearing the latest news. Aswat Al Iraq reports that the 500 plus candidates excluded from the ballot are now back on. "The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on Wednesday said that those who had been banned under the Accountability and Justice Commission’s law would be allowed to participate in the country’s upcoming parliamentary election."

The decision is not exactly what voters might want to hear, but it's better than keeping candidates from participation in the March 7 election. “The cassation authority will postpone its examination of the appeals and allow candidates included in the Accountability and Justice Commission’s law to participate in the election,” the semi-official al-Iraqiya TV quoted an IHEC official, Hamdiya al-Husseini, as saying.

The NYT says it's just a delay of kicking out the candidates. "According to officials informed of the decision, the court ruled that it would reconsider the commission’s efforts to ban candidates after the vote. That raised the possibility of ousting newly elected members of Parliament should their ties with the now-banned Baath Party be established."

It's possible, but not very likely. Because Parliament is supposed to okay committees, and the shady accountability and justice one just popped up unannounced. Candidates can challenge the committee itself in court.

The NYT says, "Iraqi law does not have a provision for unseating elected officials, however. An election official, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to criticize a court decision, warned that disqualifying anyone duly elected would violate popular will. 'The voters will be the only losers,' the official said."

Guess it's back to the drawing board for Ahmad Chalabi.

13:23
Hamas's cartoons and the intractable conflict
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Jon Stewart made a good point. These are adult cartoons, not for kids!
12:57
Honor Killings or Domestic Violence?
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Anna Momigliano argues in The Nation that we should not bash Arab culture and that domestic violence exists in every culture. Domestic violence is not punished like it should be in some European countries like Italy:

"Violence against women is widespread in almost any country, regardless of ethnicity or religion," says Farian Sabahi, an Iranian-Italian academic who teaches Islamic history at the University of Turin.

Although data suggest that violence against women is more common and tolerated in traditional Muslim societies, the difference when compared with Europe is not as significant as one would expect.

According to a 2009 survey, four out of ten women in Turkey experience domestic violence. In Italy gender-based violence strikes "only" 32 percent of the female population (about 80 percent is believed to take place within the family).

Most surprising, perhaps, is the perception of domestic violence among women: while only 10 percent of Turkish women report it as a crime, in Italy this figure is around 18 percent.

Gender-based violence is surprisingly common even in countries thought to be more egalitarian. In Britain, 45 percent of women have reportedly experienced some form of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Similarly, 37 percent of German women have reportedly experienced some form of physical violence, and 25 percent say they have been abused by a partner.

...In 2007, in the Sicilian town of Palermo, Renato Di Felice served only two days in prison, despite being found guilty of purposely killing his wife, Maria Concetta-Pitas, in 2003: the couple's children had testified that their mother had been disrespectful toward her husband, moving the judge to a mild sentence.

But I wonder what percentage of Turkish victims of domestic violence actually report the crimes to authorities, and does the high rate of domestic violence in Italy have anything to do with the large Muslim population there? In Italy, many Italian Muslim women are trapped in polygamous marriages:

Sbai estimates there are 14,000 polygamous families in Italy; others put the number even higher. Many take advantage of the so-called orfi marriage, a less formal union performed by an imam, that does not carry the same social or legal standing as regular marriage.

She is convinced that the polygamists in Italy are practicing a more fundamentalist and abusive form of multiple marriage. Because they feel so threatened by the Western culture around them, the men often imprison their wives and confine them to a life of solitude wholly dependent on the husband.

"They are kept in a kind of ghetto," Sbai said.

When Sbai recently created a hot line for Muslim immigrant women, she was inundated with 1,000 calls in the first three months. To her astonishment, she had tapped into a hidden community of women desperate for information, many trapped in violent, polygamous households, isolated and lonely.

Anna Momigliano:
Passion and honor-related crimes against women seem so engrained in Italian society that in 2006 a German court granted extenuating circumstances on the basis of "ethnic and cultural background" to a Sardinia-born man who had his girlfriend gang-raped because he feared she might have cheated on him.

"All Italians, and those living in Sardinia particularly, felt insulted and outraged by this German sentence," notes Sabahi. "Yet when similar crimes take place among the Arab immigrants, Italian authorities tend to blame it on Islam, without caring about offending the Muslim community."

Sabahi believes "racist prejudice will not help" stop violence; she believes education is the key. "Institutions should focus on protecting women, rather than bashing culture," Sabahi says.

Good points by Momigliano, and she didn't even mention OJ Simpson. But she seems to ignore the differences between "honor killings" in Arab culture and domestic violence in the West. In Arab culture, the murderer is often the brother or the father of the victim. We do not often hear of an American man who kills his sister because she had pre-marital sex or because she was raped, and in America violence against women is publicly combatted and the criminals are punished appropriately.

PS: Thanks Aton for posting the article about polygamous marriages in Italy.

12:37
Chemical Ali
» ‎ Eye Raki (iraq)

Was it worth it?

11:57
Barred candidates allowed to stand, INA’s emergency meeting
» ‎ Roads to Iraq (iraq)

While Ahmad Al-Chalabi headed to met Talabani behind closed doors, INA released a statement (after the emergency meeting) of two points: 1) condemns the U.S. role and intervention in the Iraqi affairs, but we welcome any advise offered by any side. 2) The Appeals Court task is limited to check the compatibility of JAC decisions with the law.

Video clip on Al-Fayha TV, Al-Lami said that if IHEC implemented the Appeals-Court’s decision, then we [JAC] have the right to take IHEC to Federal Court because it is a violation to its [IHEC] own Article 6.

This is Just reported from Baghdad — Emergency meeting held few minutes ago by INA leaders to discuss the Appeal Court decision — Attendees are: Falih Al-Fayad, Hamam Hamoudi, Ahmad Al-Chalabi and Hassan Shammari, Naseer Al-Chaderchi and Sharif Ali Bin Al Hussein and other lower ranked members.

In a “sudden” decision, the Appeals Court reversed JAC decision of the exclusion Ba’ath linked politicians and to be reviewed after the election (as Joe Biden proposed). Until now the appeal excluded those who are already barred from participation in the election and introduced their replacements, but I expect there will be different interpretations to the reverse decision.

Allawi’s Al-Iraqiya List on Aljazeera accused IHEC spokeswoman Hamidiyya Al-Husseini of “playing with words”, saying that the Appeals Court is very clear; “cancel the JAC decision” but Al-Husseini said that the barred politicians are allowed to participate in the election.

Head of JAC Ali Al-Lami already rejected the Appeal Court decision saying that the Appeal Court decision is not binding. He added that this decision contradicts Article 135, Article 132 and Article VII of the Iraqi Constitution.

Still under shock, not many reactions yet, but Al-Lami and other sectarian websites considered this decision is dictated by the U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden and it is a U.S. interference in the Iraqi internal affairs.

Bad timing for the U.S. Assistant Secretary Philip J. Crowley to say that the Ba’athists are part of the political process, INA, Al-Lami and other sectarian figures are already started to link the above with the today’s AC decision to argue that the U.S. is preparing for the return of the Ba’ath Party to power.

Other INA MPs are trying to “widen” the circule of the “plot” to include Al-Hashemi saying that the reason behind his visit to the U.S. is to cancel JAC decision.

10:51
Iraq lifts ban on neo-Baathists
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

"Iraq has lifted a ban on nearly 500 candidates barred from the March election for alleged links to the late Saddam Hussein's Baathist party."

3:33
Listen to Dr K
» ‎ IraqPundit (iraq)

President Obama surely is a busy man, but I hope he took the time to read today's piece by Henry Kissinger. In the opinion piece, Dr K observes that the subject of Iraq has nearly disappeared from discussions and debates of Washington, and he reminds readers that Iraq can't be an afterthought. He says: "The U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq will not alter the geostrategic importance of the country even as it alters that context."

Kissinger says it here: "If radicals prevail in the Shiite part, and the Shiite part comes to dominate the Sunni and Kurdish regions, and if it then lines up with Tehran, we will witness -- and will have partially contributed to -- a fundamental shift in the balance of the region."

I really hope Obama gets it. I worry sometimes that the president thinks if Washington closes its eyes, Iraq and the problems of the entire region will just go away.

February 02, 2010
19:24
Words from London
» ‎ Wafaa' Al-Natheema (iraq)

Reflections . . . .
I am escaping my environment to seek the unknown. I am a goal keeper, yet goalless. I am an activist, yet have no energy. I am a health addict and organic food advocate who rarely get sick, but recently have been getting sick so easily. I am so courageous, yet have no courage to collect myself. I have been defending the oppressed, discrimianted against, stereotyped and disadvantaged since my teenage years, yet can't defend myself!

I escape the present to the past because the present is DDD - disappointing, dim and depressing, not to mention it is on the news and on everybody's mind while the past has been forgotten, so there is uniqueness in visiting it.
London has not been an energizing city for me. It sucks my energy and creativity. Her effect on me reminds me of New York's, but with one difference; the latter has a brighter, less-shy sun.
I apologize to all if I will not be engaged in important causes and not be an ardent participant in them. I feel a tank sitting on my heart and a revolution in my mind. Yet I am tranquil. The most enjoyable thing I do is silence. So I don't socialize.
I have decided to focus on my films in 2010. This way, I will write, correspond and speak much less.
If you want to reach me, please avoid doing so in writing. I shall not read emails. I look forward to hearing your voice.

16:55
Ruling clerics play God in Iran
» ‎ Iraqi Mojo (iraq)

Apparently the clerics in charge of Iran think they are God.

"Iran experts have said that the government hastily ordered the executions of Arash Rahmanipour and Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, 37, another political prisoner, to intimidate the opposition and to silence the protests that have persisted since the disputed June 12 presidential elections.

With the government’s opponents planning another large demonstration on Feb. 11, the country is bracing for another wave of executions. At least nine other prisoners have been charged with the capital crime of moharebeh, which means waging war against God."

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