Still digging - but in other areas

Mixmax might have guessed it: house-hunting prevented me from blogging.

Last November we thought we had found the perfect house. The seller, however, tried to hide some important information. When we discovered that three neighbouring places had unconditional rights to walk and drive over our grounds, we stepped back from the project.

In January we found another house, a sister-house from the original, since it was built by the same architect. It is 70 years old and needs some reshaping, but we love it and hope we will move in before next Christmas. Until then I will try to document our adventure in a new blog.

Currently I'm fighting for some space where we will be able to accomodate our guests ;-).

Thank god it's Sunday

This was an extremely busy week and I had to restrain my addiction to blogging and ME topics to the utmost - nearly unbearable - limit. This sunday morning I had the choice between reducing my lack of sleep or... You guessed it - I got up early and went through some of my favourite blogs.

Uh, and what I learned isn't exactly what a peaceful sunday should promise. I'll start with Jeha's adorable 'Let's call the whole thing off'. One link really stunned me: can anybody tell what's going on in Aoun's mind? He seems to be the same old warlord he used to be and obviously is unwilling to accept elections' outcome. But the rest looks completely insane to me. In German we have the expression 'Wendehals'. Literally translated it is a neck that turns 180 degrees. Some rough sketches:

Aoun when he came back to Lebanon....

Aoun today.

Back to politics - the way Aoun twists the meaning of 'people's voice' reminds me of my country's history - I'm sorry. Churchill and Hitler once had a fight in the newspapers. Hitler told Churchill that he (Churchill) only represents a tiny part of UK, while he, Hitler, represents the voice of the whole nations. Not just that, he said that he is the German Nation. No need to mention that since that day he never asked the German people via elections again. I'm not saying that Aoun is going to be another Hitler. But I do underline the message learned: people like him should not be accepted as candidates in democratic elections.

Again Lebanon, but the question applies for Iraq just as well - Charles Malik comments on an interesting editorial: 'Kiss goodbye to a liberal Middle East'. It fits well into my topic 'The other America' and I sadly cannot reject the conclusion:

(...)it's ironical that Arab liberals should now applaud the onset of a realist American foreign policy toward the Arab world.

A tiny addition from the Palestinian front: US interaction in the conflict was reduced up to zero within the last two years. They've left it up to Europe to engage in the muddle - despite official statements the EU still finances the Palestinians: 329 Million Euro for 2006 is not nothing, huh? Now look at the results - not very encouring. While media still focus on every Palestinian killed by Israel, on every Iraqi killed by alleged Iraqis, it goes unnoticed that Palestinians are at the verge of a civil war. Instead we learn every week that Hamas has finally come up with a government. What government? Well, ask Fatah.

Europe won't deny the threats of a civil war, though. When it comes to keeping down US influence diplomats are more than ready to point out on it. Read the article carefully and think about the underlying concept. Either finance Hamas and Fatah or let all of them starve. Both option won't really prevent a civil war, will they?

So this was my sunday morning, I gotta go back to house-hunting in order to prevent civil war between Mixmax and me ;-)

The Other America -> Anti-Situation-Movement ahead?

It's been all over the news: Nancy Pelosi, the designated "first woman speaker of the House", supports anti-war-movement's darling Jack Murtha as a majority leader.

"Murtha, a former Marine who is respected for his knowledge of defense issues, gained national attention last year when he said U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Iraq."

So is this a sign that Pelosi from San Franciso, where the anti-war-movement is known to be strong, will give in to those demands and is heading towards a withdrawal of US troops in Iraq?

First, Murtha is "widely viewed as an underdog in a two-man race". We will see if she puts in her weight and really wants him to become the majority speaker.

Second, she prepared grounds to escape the anti-war-movement's pressure:

Asked whether her preference is to win the war or just end it, Pelosi said those are not the options.

"This isn't a war to win, its a situation to be solved, and you define winning any way you want, but you must solve the problem," she said.

We're waiting for the anti-situation-movement to answer her challenge.

The Left's Tune Unplugged

At least the real motivation of the Left is uncovered - egoism:

If Saddam were still in power, he would have stopped this happening. Iraq's dissidents would have paid a price, but the rest of us would be a lot better off.

Dear Iraqis, don't feel offended, you're not alone. Cox wants to send the Russians back into tyranny, too. For the sake of inspiring his boring British freedom:

Living under tyranny may not be ideal, but it is not impossible. In the Soviet Union, life took on a character of its own, in which the human spirit managed to flourish in spite of the political constraints. The literature generated in those conditions can still inspire us.

Instead of commenting, I sign Alla's statement:

So our kind leftists who care so much about humanity don't think that dictatorship and tyranny are as terrible as all that. This article is interesting because it expresses the point of view of many of the like of this individual. Read this my friends and wonder how low have our "humanitarian" liberals and leftists have sunk. I shall say no more.

That reminds me of my to-do-list - I wanted to dig into the history of Liberals and demonstrate why these people don't have a right to label themselves Liberals.

Just Iraqi

Maybe you've heard about the Bahraini blog that is currently blocked by government. I took a quick glance and stumbbled upon this campaign.

Don't know if anyone has already thought about transfering the idea to Iraq. Google didn't give me any results. So I made a quick draw:



Don't know why it's cut off on top. I'll leave it like that until next week - heading for Italy tomorrow. If it might be of any help, I'll have those produced and sent to Iraq. Well, who knows?

A Question of Good Governance?

Criticism for its own sake might be an entertaining activity for some people, but I prefer looking into the future. What is needed to turn critisicm into a constructive tool is a measuring unit. Before leaving I'd like to propose such a measuring unit, called "good governance".
In addition I'd like to introduce a new actor on the scene - well, actually not so new, but some want to stick to their belief about the US being the only actor who wants to strengthen democray in the world.

What is good governance?

Governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights. Good governance accomplishes this in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. The true test of "good" governance is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The key question is: are the institutions of governance effectively guaranteeing the right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair justice and personal security? (...)

In his Millennium Report, We the peoples, the Secretary-General emphasized that "better governance means greater participation, coupled with accountability. Therefore, the international public domain – including the United Nations – must be opened up further to the participation of the many actors whose contributions are essential to managing the path of globalization … For the United Nations, success in meeting the challenges of globalization ultimately comes down to meeting the needs of peoples. It is in their name that the Charter was written; realizing their aspirations remains our vision for the twenty-first century."

So all we need is another country, I'll call it Z.

XY warns People of Z against mob justice after outbreak of violence

19 October 2006 – The Representative XY today cautioned Z-citizens there against taking part in vigilante justice, even as they put up with rising crime and a judicial system that remains deeply flawed and corrupt.

“In our fight against crime, we must always remember that we cannot, and must not take the law into our own hands,” said XY.

“Mob justice is wrong! It is a violation of the law,” he added, just days after two police officers were injured trying to contain a mob attack amid violence following the murder of a local man. “We must allow justice to take its course even though the wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly.”

Mr. XY's comments also came a day after the most recent report on human rights noted that “the judicial system continued to fail to uphold constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards binding on country Z.”

Corruption in the judicial system is an “extremely serious problem… [that] remains an enormous challenge to the rule of law and thus to long-term peace and stability,” the report said.

It noted that there is “systemic abuse by magistrates” who operate without effective disciplinary measures, allowing them to continue working even after they have “been found guilty of misconduct amounting to corruption.”

There are huge case backlogs and prolonged pre-trial detentions compounded by inefficient investigations, prosecution and hearings, the report added, noting that suspects are frequently released without ever facing trial.

Still, Mr. XY argued for patience. “We and other partners are working closely with the Government and the judiciary to help reinforce the rule of law and strengthen the administration of justice in Z,” he said, adding that he would work for bail regulations to be tightened.

More than 90 per cent of those incarcerated are awaiting trial and detention standards are well below minimum standards – particularly medical care, which is generally absent. Pre-trial detainees are not separated from convicts and escapes and illegal releases from some facilities was “a particular problem” during the period covered in the report.

Besides allegations of excessive force, there is a shortage of police officers in some areas which encourages vigilante action, the report noted, adding that five circuit courts are still not in operational while “others tried only a fraction of the number of cases listed for trial.”

“We are fully committed to assisting the Z National Police become a modern and effective police force that can ensure public order and safety,” added Mr.XY, noting that the Netherlands has just pledged 2 million euros to help with this effort.

The shortage of police in rural areas, where there is also no independent monitoring, leaves isolated communities “particularly vulnerable risk of harmful traditional practices, especially trial by ordeal” which lead to serious injuries and deaths, the report noted.

A report last month said judicial reform was proceeding “albeit at a slow pace” but noted that more consultants are being hired and that a law reform commission is being established, although its success will depend on adequate international funding.

Z was liberated from its despotic leader in 2003 and after a Transitional Government held free elections in 2005. Its economic situation suffers from the consequences of continuing international sanctions, widespread corruption and destroyed infrastructure. Many businessmen have fled the country and aren't likely to come back.

• GDP per capita is $ 1,000 (Iraq $ 3,400)
  
• Unemployment rate 85% (Iraq 25% 2005 est.)

Literacy seems to be higher than in Iraq:

• total population: 57.5% (40,4%)
• male: 73.3% (55,9%)
• female: 41.6% (24,4%)

(2003 est.)

Wealthy international donors, who are ready to assist reconstruction efforts, are withholding funding until Z's National Assembly signs onto a Plan that was created to help ensure transparent revenue collection and allocation - something that was lacking under the Transitional Government and that has limited Z's economic recovery. The reconstruction of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial support and technical assistance from donor countries.

The ongoing domestic crisis in a neighbouring country and militias remaining in the border region holds an additional danger to destabilise the country anew.

So these are the rough data about Z. What jumped to my eyes when Representative XY was speaking was the question how much time a country is given in order to overcome its ordeals from the past...

Pitfalls of Blame-Gaming

A short turn into history:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- From the Oval Office, President Bush told the nation Wednesday evening why he ordered the military strikes against Iraq.

The president said Iraq's refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors presented a threat to the entire world.

"Saddam (Hussein) must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons," Bush said.

A strong, sustained series of attacks, will be carried out over several days by U.S. and British forces, Bush said.

Bush also stated that, while other countries also had weapons of mass destruction, Hussein is in a different category because he has used such weapons against his own people and against his neighbors.

'Without delay, diplomacy or warning'

The Iraqi leader was given a final warning six weeks ago, Bush said, when Baghdad promised to cooperate with U.N. inspectors at the last minute.

"Along with Prime Minister (Tony) Blair of Great Britain, I made it equally clear that if Saddam failed to cooperate fully we would be prepared to act without delay, diplomacy or warning," Bush said.

The president said the report of the United Nations Special Commission in charge of finding and destroying Iraqi weapons, was stark and sobering.

Iraq failed to cooperate with the inspectors and placed new restrictions on them, Bush said. He said Iraqi officials also destroyed records and moved everything, even the furniture, out of suspected sites before inspectors were allowed in.

"In halting our airstrikes, I give Saddam a chance -- not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the president explained.

Strikes necessary to stunt weapons programs

Bush said he made the decision to strike Wednesday with the unanimous agreement of his security advisors.

"If Saddam can cripple the weapons inspections system and get away with it, he would conclude the international community, led by the United States, has simply lost its will," said Bush. "He would surmise that he has free rein to rebuild his arsenal of destruction."

Bush also called Hussein a threat to his people and to the security of the world.

"The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people," Bush said.

Such a change in Baghdad would take time and effort, Bush said, adding that his administration would work with Iraqi opposition forces.

"Saddam Hussein and the other enemies of peace may have thought that the serious debate currently before the House of Representatives would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down," he said.

"But once more, the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so."

Self-declared Liberals* define their anti-Americanism as directed against the Conservatives, the Neocons, the Zionists and first and foremost against George W. Bush. He is dreaming of Iraqi oil, he didn't forgive Saddam's plans to kill his father and so on. They promise, especially to the Iraqi, that there is 'another America' that they represent and that of course is the better one.

Memory is short and played a little trick on me. Maybe on yours, too. Why do I come up with the well-known and painful Iraq invasion once more? We know George W., we know that there were no weapons of mass destruction, we know about all his fabrications when he threw the US and Iraq into this futile war. But wait a minute - something's wrong with the above story. Didn't Blair and Bush consult the UN Security Council, why don't they mention the draft resolution?

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was the other America speaking. You might file it under "history" but don't forget that his wife's name is Hillary.


Update: mapsofwar.com proof my point:




Go and visit their site, they have more interesting maps.


*a post about why I think the term "Liberalism" is abused by them is on top of my task list

Sectarian violence - is it really Iraqi made?

While comments and analyses in Western mass media are dominated by the so-called Iraqi sectarian violence, Iraqis themselves are shocked about a phenomenon they swear they've never come across before the invasion.

Neurotic Iraqi wife describes how the sectarian issue even turns the formerly Happy Eid into an unhappy one (bold markings by me):

The office was virtually empty today except for a few people, because of the Eid vacation. I saw a colleague of mine and said to her "Happy Eid" She immediately looked disdainfully at me and said "My Eid is tomorrow, Im still fasting" Hmm, I said, well, Happy Eid in advance then. After a few minutes I bumped into one of the Iraqi maintenance guys. I smiled happily and said "Happy Eid to you" Its not OUR eid today its the "Wahabbis" (a very disrespectful way of calling Sunni's that, I mean I dunno why, we cant be civil to one another) Eid, he spat out. Ours is tomorrow. OMG, I thought to myself. Maybe its better I dont even mention happy or eid to anyone. So I became really cautious. Whenever I saw someone instead of telling them Happy Eid, I would just ask "Are you celebrating Eid TODAY or TOMORROW?" If the answer is today I will tell them Have a happy one, if answer is tomorrow, I will say oh ok, then Happy eid in advance.

I mean it became such a sensitive issue that I dont even feel like saying it to anyone, incase I offend anybody. Talk about people being real uptight. Its ridiculus really. We are living in the same country, looking at the same sky, breathing the same air, yet we see the moon differently. How is that possible, I have no idea. Why cant we for once, just once unite on one thing. We never had such anonimosity towards each other like now. Never. Most of my family are intermarried, and I know many many more of the same. But now I hear stories of men divorcing their wives after 20 or 30 years of marriage because of the difference in Sects. And usually its not the man or the woman's wish, it is forced upon them by family or tribe. Wowwww... Instead of becoming an advanced country, we have become one that was worse than the Jahiliya era. The pre-Islamic Arabian age of ignorance, marked by barbarism and unbelief.

Mixmax offers plausible reasons why the current sectarian violence can't derive from Iraqi's past:

There are some who comes up with an opinion that the Shiites in Iraq were oppressed by Saddam for years, and this one of the reason for the violence which has been witnessed in day to day life in Iraq.. I don’t agree with that opinion because:
First, it became clear to many – even the media is increasingly showing this through their reports and news bulletins – that violence is caused by two groups of people: one group is looking for political gains and misusing the name of a certain religious group for this purpose. The second group consists of thieves, killers, and some other losers who are looking for financial gains. It also might be some kind of a political maneuver, but Muqtada Al Sadr did himself send a letter to his militia in Amara demanding them to stop, “otherwise, Al Sadr will disown you all”. This did not put a halt to the bloodshed in the begining!

On the other hand, Last wednesday, a couple of days ago all media channels showed a pro-Qaida group in Ramadi staging a defiant parade-like show off in the western city of Ramadi. They were driving their cars and on motorcycles freely and in the middle of the day carrying their rifles with their black and white masks and slogans.

Some media sources named this show of force as "Sunni fighters take over Ramadi". It made me wonder, though, if the whole clashes affair in Amara by the Shiite Al Mahdi millitia is just a reply message from Al Sadr to the Sunni group in Ramadi, and not only about a local leader who has been kidnapped!!

Second, Saddam did not only oppress Shiites. Saddam is not considered as Sunni as some think, and that he is loyal to Sunni Islam! In fact, Saddam did not give a damn to whether that person is Sunni or Shiite or even believe in devil: the essential thing is to eliminate anyone who might dream of opposing anything related to the regime. Saddam created his own “sect”, his own “social” group. Yes, a mutant social group within the Iraqi community. Back to Saddam’s created social group: This group became the effective tool that helped in planting successfully two things: fear from the regime, and distrust among citizens. This included people from all sectors, and from different religions.

Iraqi Konfused Kid pictures in his talented language how religion is being politically abused:

al-Qaeda is worthless without their straetgic allies the Baathists, who adopted a more Islamic veil to fit in with the times and bring us all to this sectarain lollapalooza.

Change of scene: when Lebanon was attacked, the Foreign ministers of 18 Arab countries held an emergency meeting in Cairo that turned out to be somewhat different from the usual 'let's go to the UN and condemn Israel'- party. Instead "a heated closed-door session" about dreams and Arab unitiy took place. I'll mark one party in green, the other in pink:

(...)ministers traded barbs over whether Lebanese group Hezbollah bore any responsibility for the escalation in violence that followed its capture of two Israeli soldiers.(...)

Arab diplomats who attended the closed session said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, whose country has been critical of Hezbollah, accused Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem of "devilish dreams."

"Arab unity is the most important stance that should be taken, and unfortunately I feel I am not hearing those words from Prince Saud Al-Faisal," Moualem was reported to have said.
"How can we come here to discuss the burning situation in Lebanon while others are making statements criticizing the resistance?" asked Moualem.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Salem Al-Sabah responded, saying that Moualem's dreams were "rosy" but echoed Saudi Arabia's rare criticism of Hezbollah, the diplomats said.

Earlier, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh presented his fellow Arab League members with a draft resolution condemning Israel's military offensive and supporting Lebanon's "right to resist occupation by all legitimate means," language frequently used by Hezbollah to justify its militants' presence in south Lebanon.

Salloukh, a Shiite close to the mainstream Amal faction as well as the militant Hezbollah, said Arab governments were not doing enough to protest Israel's assault on Lebanon.

"What our Arab brothers have called `involvement' has only resulted in frustration and bitterness among Arab people," Salloukh told participants at the meeting Saturday.

"If [Arab] governments are not serious and determined ... our people will sooner or later take things into their own hands," he said.

Here is a more detailed version of the Saudi Prince's statement:

The prince said, “A large part of our efforts in the past has been spent in holding emergency meetings without making necessary preparations to face the challenges...decisions made during crises carry the stamp of hurry and emotion which mostly result in aggravating the crisis instead of providing a solution to it.”

The prince also pointed out that an objective analysis of the Arab situation over the past five decades shows that “impromptu and emotionally charged decisions without a deep understanding of the consequences” have led to “tragedy after tragedy including loss of land, occupation and civil wars.” Saud said, “Unless we agree that the time has come to get out of this ominous and vicious circle of making decisions that are taken under the shadow of crisis which only helps create fresh crises and aggravation, nothing will be achieved. The time has come to speak about matters openly even if they are painful.”

The prince also said that the Arab League was not a club to exchange empty clichés but a body to make military, political and economic treaties, adding that the league condemned the practice of a single party enforcing dictatorial decisions and not allowing other members to express their opinions.

“If the unilateral decision by a single country is unacceptable then what about an undisciplined and irresponsible single element inside a country taking decisions which not only involves that country alone but pushes the remaining countries as well into a blind adventure? It is totally unacceptable and this matter should be unambiguously clear to all,” he said.

He continued, “My government views that it is essential to open a new page in our joint action in a new style with a new spirit as we cannot continue by repeating the same mistake of burdening our patient people with the consequences of mistakes.”

He exhorted members to reach a wise decision instead of adding a new problem to the current crisis.

“We need to make rapid moves to put an end to the Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Palestine and make a call for the language of dialogue to prevail and an end to the violence,” he said.

Why are these two topics related? I'll make a break for now, some more research to do.

** update: I've translated the first part (Iraqi bloggers' statements into German and published it in my German blog.