Iraqi's think their country is on the right track

and getting better...

Published on May 25, 2005 By ShadowWar In Current Events

BUCHAREST, Romania, May 24, 2005 –
As more Iraqis express confidence in their country's government, more help is needed from the international community to keep Iraq's progress on track, the general director of Iraq's National Security Agency said here today. Samir al-Saboon addressed representatives of 68 nations gathered here for a multilateral military planners conference.

Recent polling data shows that fully two-thirds of Iraqis believe their country is headed in the right directionNow thats quite an acomplishment since its not that high here in the U.S. , Saboon said. While a poll in January showed only 11 percent of Sunni Muslims in Iraq shared that view, that percentage has since grown to 40, he said.

Though Sunnis largely didn't participate in the Transitional National Assembly election Jan. 30, that outlook has changed as well in anticipation of coming elections. Saboon, who is a Sunni, said 92 percent of eligible voters throughout Iraq and 80 percent of the country's Sunnis are likely to vote in the next electionAmericans should look at this and be ashamed of ourselves. We are lucky to get 20% or less at the polls

Saboon told the group that Iraqi security forces now have the confidence of 83 percent of Iraq's population, that 70 percent are confident in the transitional Iraqi government, and that 73 percent believe the government is representative of the Iraqi population. I would like to see what our own poll answers to this question would be. I would venture a guess along the election mines of about 50/50.

The "vast majority" of Iraqis do not support the insurgency, Saboon said. He added that the presence of coalition forces ranks fifth among the concerns of Baghdad residents, who believe having good sewer services in the city is more important.

The Transitional National Assembly is "generally on track" toward its Aug. 15 deadline of drafting a new Iraqi constitution to allow a two-month public discussion period before voters go to the polls to accept or reject it, Saboon said. If a majority approves the constitution in the referendum, national elections to form a permanent government will take place in December.

"I would like to emphasize the importance of coalition nations maintaining their forces until after the national referendum and election," Saboon said.

Iraqi security forces are becoming increasingly capable, he said, and despite insurgent intimidation, there's no shortage of volunteers to serve. "You should see the lines," he said. "It's unbelievable." Wonder why they have no shoratge, even knowing as dangerous as it may be right now, when Americans are not joining in their country's defense? Where is our feeling of duty? Honor? Calling all young Americans, get off you fat couch potato butts and get out there and help your country, join the military and learn something for once.

But Iraq lacks the money and equipment to bring aboard everyone qualified for and desiring positions in their country's security forces, he said. Still, he noted, Iraq now has 101 battalions of military and police conducting operations, and eight army divisions have been formed. The government's plans call for expanding the army with more mechanized brigades, combat service and combat support at division level and below, and base support units, Saboon said.

He called reconstruction "perhaps Iraq's most formidable challenge" and said the Iraqi government will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding the economy for the foreseeable future.

The foundation for a free-market economy is being set, he said, but the country faces several challenges in bringing about economic progress. Among those challenges is a sizable foreign debt the current government inherited from Saddam Hussein's regime. Saboon noted that some members of the international community have helped by reducing the debt owed to their countries.

He cited high unemployment as another challenge in revitalizing Iraq's economy. The Iraqi government, he said, hopes to deal with the problem with a combination of jobs programs, training and education. This problem and others will improve as the security situation improves, he said.

Noting the need for foreign investment, Saboon said the perception of Iraq as a dangerous place is standing in the way of attracting investors, though 14 of the country's 18 provinces have stable security environments. "Foreign investors need security," he said. "Many areas are secure," he added, but foreign investment won't start in a big way "until the media declares Iraq is a safe place."

Restoration of essential services -- and establishing them in places that never enjoyed them in the first place -- is another key to Iraq's economic future, Saboon said. He added that the security situation is one determining factor in how quickly that can be accomplished.

Meanwhile, many economic indicators are positive, Saboon said, including steady production from the oil industry, which dominates Iraq's economy. But major modernization of the industry's infrastructure -- long neglected under Saddam -- will be necessary for oil's potential for Iraq's economy to be fully realized, he said.

Saboon called on the conferees to bring back to their countries the message that while Iraq is making progress, much remains to be done.

"Much of the progress in Iraq is the result of your efforts and sacrifices," he said. "However, Iraq has a long way to go, and we ask for your continued support throughout 2005 and 2006."

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