I remember when the Baath Party took over Abdel Karim Kasim's leadership. It did it wth a very strict hand, and placed a socialist regime vouching the opportunity of full employmnt, full medicar, and full education t the masses. The 5 year plan was implemeted, and I saw Iraq grow. Before Saddam Hussein, Al-Bakr began the industrial boom. In 1972, when the oil crisis was felt in Europe and the world, Iraq vowed that th extra income would open the gate for re-modernising Iraq. During the late 70's, The Government headed by Saddam's Baathists allowed mixed sectors and private sectors to set-up manufacturing with government financing at 0%. These were the times when many Iraqis began to widen their horizons by travelling to the Industrial nations searching for knowledge and knowhow, to implement it in Iraq. During my 60 years of travelling in the Middle East, I was admitted in Hospital in Baghdad for a minor operation. I spent 14 days, and ca confirm that most professional medical Doctors were graduated in the UK, US, Switzerland, and Canada. The surgical theatres were of the most modern units found in the US and Europe.
Although I have elaborated in my prelude, I am certain that Iraq will only survive if such a regime is put back, to lead the country with NO INTERFERENCE from so-called pacifists who have no clue of local traditions and customs, Furthermore, in my opinion, Iraq did no wrong (except what George Bush Snr.) had planned for their own interests. Destabilize Iraq, Threaten Iran, and Syria, where the planned pipelines will be errected unhindered. Russia tried for 10 years and failed. Now the Nato is trying, and will fail too. As for Bush Jnr.! well, he has put many lives in danger on both sides, bankrupted the US economy, Damaged relations between the US and the rest of the world, Perhaps B. Obama will listen closer to the actual truth of what is happening in the region, and seriously consider mending ties unconditionally.
I may see some drastic changes during my lifetime (I Hope!!)
The Return of the Baathists
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Hard-line Baathists are some of Mutlaq's harshest critics. They probably see him as a threat, draining their pool of alienated followers, suggests Iraqi political analyst Wamidh Nadhmi. Mutlaq demands the elimination of laws excluding senior Baathists from their old jobs and pensions and wants the ban on the party removed from Iraq's Constitution. He says he believes in democracy and calls Saddam a "big dictator" but adds, "To be honest, I've started to think we Iraqis cannot be led easily without a hard person."
The January elections found public support for his ideas. Mutlaq put together a coalition of secular Sunnis who had all stayed in Iraq throughout Saddam's era. For Mutlaq that's a point of pride, a contrast with the rival Iraqi Islamic Party, led by Sunni exiles who came back after the war. Although the religious party's slate outdrew Mutlaq's, he counts it as a triumph—and with reason. The Islamic Party was far better organized and funded, and Mutlaq readily admits he made some stupid mistakes—such as confusing voters by renaming his coalition before the vote. Maliki evidently agrees that Mutlaq has become a force to reckon with in Iraqi politics: last week the prime minister met with the former Baathist to discuss local coalitions. Mutlaq hopes his goal is in sight at last. "We did well," he says. "We are there." Not yet. But he's on his way.
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