Elections in Iraq

It was great reading the article Sistani Supports Elections (Oct. 30). Sistani has exercised patience and mature reflection in his positions on Iraqi elections.

It was obviously a disappointment to him back in June when the UN said it was too early to have elections. But having made a commitment to hold the elections in January, these should not be put off under any circumstance.

There are concerns over security, adequate representation for Sunnis, Kurdish requests for limited autonomy and having a good choice of candidates, but none of these concerns trumps the Iraqi need for self-determination.

If not in January, when? Next June...in January 2006...3 years from now? It’s time to elect Iraqi leaders, and to have these leaders take control of their country’s future.

Arnold Zamorano • US published 2 November 2004

Saudization

I am surprised that just when women in Saudi Arabia are speaking up for greater rights, you have chosen to publish the letter ‘Wage and Saudization’ (Fatima Khan, Oct. 28) where a woman advocates a basic violation of the rights of expatriates who, incidentally, also happen to be equally human.

I refer all those keen on creating laws seeking an advantage at the workplace to the Article 23 of the Declaration of Human Rights where equality in workplace is emphasized.

So please do not expect business establishments in a highly competitive world, to pay extra, based on identity for the same work or less. Instead, seek subsidized housing, soft loans, etc from the state or social service organizations to overcome difficult circumstances.

The state can fix minimum wages and refuse work permits for expatriates, in those areas where Saudis are available to fill the job.

This strategy protects the worker, whether Saudi or otherwise from exploitation while giving the Saudi national first preference in the job market.

I hope that even as the Saudization drive is implemented as a national imperative, it is conceived and implemented without trampling on the basic human rights and dignity of the foreign workers. Good luck!

Dr. Vidyadhar Reddy • Alkhobar published 2 November 2004

Double Standard

I’m amazed any feeling person could say something as wrong-headed as “Hats off to the Iraqis who are fighting and inflicting heavy damage on the invaders.”

As if murdering 51 unarmed Iraqi men is just a good day’s work. As if kidnapping a woman who is in Iraq for the sole reason of bringing food and medical care to the people is an act worthy of anything but scorn. As if kidnap for ransom is some sort ideal to be realized.

I’m so tired of the double standard. I’m sure Rafiq was outraged by the photos that came out of Abu Gharib, though, to the best of my knowledge no one had their head removed there after Saddam’s undoing.

The same cannot be said for the kidnapped civilian workers. The fight with American “invaders” is over, and now all that remains is for the people of Iraq to build a nation as they see fit — not as America sees fit, or the Taleban, or Al-Qaeda, or George Bush or Osama Bin Laden — but the people of Iraq.

The terrorists you speak of as heroes are not Iraqi at all. They are the true invaders, who seek to impose their own narrow view of the world on the people of Iraq by force. Ask the Iraqis. Would they prefer Americans to go home? Were they happier with Saddam? Would they rather not have a voice?

Yet Rafiq and those who think like him refuse to believe that these murderers are criminals. Do you remember Qusai Mahdi Saleh? You might, as he was once the Iraqi ambassador to the UAE. He was killed recently during a botched kidnap attempt.

Qusai Mahdi Saleh was driving to his home in northern Baghdad when four men stopped his car and tried to force him from the vehicle. Will you try to tip logic on its head yet again and argue that those four gunmen were Americans?

Wake up. You do not serve the people of Iraq by making excuses for, and showering praise upon, those who have filled their hearts with hatred and turned their faces from all that is good. Do the children of Iraq not deserve a peaceful place to learn and grow? Do the children of Iraq deserve less than the children of USA? Americans don’t think they do.

Mark Trumble • Cambridge, MA published 2 November 2004

True Shame

James Zogby’s personal encounters with anti-Arab sentiment make grim reading (It Is Ugly Out There, Oct. 29). I wonder, though, why he makes no mention of the TV and radio ads now being broadcast in the US in which John Kerry attacks Saudi Arabia and the Bush-Saudi relationship?

These offensive ads do nothing but bash Saudis by trying to use them to taint George Bush.

Why is there no protest about these ads, either from Zogby or the Arab-American Institute, which he leads? Is it suddenly permissible to turn a blind eye when a friend and benefactor is attacked, if it’s all for a “higher goal”?

Ads like these poison the atmosphere of public discourse and Zogby does nothing about it. That is a true shame.

John Burgess • US published 2 November 2004

Traffic Meet

The article “Traffic Event Set to Focus on Accidents” was good. It would be nice indeed if there is a definite solution to decrease the accidents. Along with the signal, there should be electronic counters like 5,6,4,3,2,1 near the signal (English/Arabic) so drivers from far know how much time is there to cross a signal.

It will stop a lot of accidents from happening. Already, Pakistan is using this idea.

M. Nadeem Atta. Riyadh published 2 November 2004

US Voters

Weirdly enough what I have to support that your right is an Eminem video. Just recently a new video entitled “Mosh” has come out and attracted enough attention that serious conservatives have had to comment on it.

In it Eminem portrays how a soldier sent back to Iraq and a single mother facing economic hardships march against Bush (who is portrayed as manipulating fear). The key here is that their greatest action against him is to vote. That is why I have hope.

Bear in mind that the fear, hate everything not recognized as American (these days meaning Arab looking or French sounding), you can’t argue or you’re not patriotic enough will not go down easy.

So many Americans are still holding on to an emotional response to Bush based on just after 9/11 that it is defying logic. But the decency I think you speak of will be coming back to the hope and what we can do in this new world.

We need to come back to the belief in the power of our capacity for seizing a moment, using nonviolent change. If 9/11 involves a grieving process, I hope we are coming to acceptance.

C. Sullivan • US published 2 November 2004

An Apology

I do appreciate your letters’ column, and admire your thoughts, about the “Ugly Americans, and How They Forced Muslims Into a War,” and I just want to say sorry.

I’m sorry America got you into this, but the Americans really want to help. I bet you are about to get angry, but really just listen.

President Bush got us into the war, forcing both Americans, and Muslims into a war.

I know neither side wanted to fight. And I know both sides in the war have done some pretty gruesome things. But most of Americans aren’t like that. They just want to help.

To let women have more rights, to let freedom ring, loudly in your ears. To be free.

To be known. to be there. And if you don’t agree then I’m sorry because I too am an American, I too feel the regret for this war, but if you do not believe that at least some Americans are good people, then there is no help for you.

Ashley Andora Christianson • US published 2 November 2004

Arafat

A wonderful and balanced editoral (Oct. 29) about Arafat and voting in Palestine. I trust all women will have the right to vote, too?

Cathy Haft • US published 2 November 2004

Congratulations

The Australian cricket team and its captain are to be congratulated on their series victory against India. They have proved to the world that they are the team to beat. Cricket lovers all over the world watched some great cricket in the series.

Tribute goes to the Australian team that showed dedication and professionalism in emphasizing their superiority over India in all departments of the game. In face of such professionalism, the Indian side were simply overwhelmed.

The Indians vaunted batting failed to click in all the three Tests they played and this was one of the major reasons for their dismal showing.

Also they failed to find the right opening combination that exposed their brittle middle order batting to one of the best bowling attacks in the world. The Indians need to find the right combination of openers if they hope to become a strong team again.

Mohammad Abdul Hadi • Alkhobar published 2 November 2004