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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rob S. who wrote (163850)	3/11/2003 11:20:00 AM
From: Alighieri	Respond to of 1573844

I agree. I think Powell's intent was correct but it has played out poorly. I don't think there was much necessity to go after Saddam as an immediate threat to the U.S. The decision to go was bound to cause a problem because of economic and political ties with France and Russia. I don't think that the timing was right. Now that it looks like we are committed, I hope for the best possible outcome but don't think it will be at all easy. I'm not an expert, have never been to Iraq, but it appears that there are deep religious and ethnic rivalries that go back centuries. Saddam and dictators like him rise to power in such situations through suppression of the rivalries or as an extension to them. I hope that we can instill some form of elected democracy in that troubled part of the world but think it will be a very difficult and expensive task. Very well said. Al

To: Rob S. who wrote (163850)	3/11/2003 11:26:18 AM
From: Joe NYC	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1573844

Rob, Good post, I agree, except the expense part. I hope there is no ongoing cost to the US, since Iraq has the oil to pay its bills. Joe

To: Rob S. who wrote (163850)	3/11/2003 1:02:38 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1573844

Saddam and dictators like him rise to power in such situations through suppression of the rivalries or as an extension to them. I hope that we can instill some form of elected democracy in that troubled part of the world but think it will be a very difficult and expensive task. In all this confusion over Iraq and the talk of democracy, what has been overlooked is that democracy is beginning to take hold in some of the smaller ME states, and even S. Arabia is beginning to talk democratic reform. However, the most advanced in this area is Qatar.....since 1996, the Emir has introduced a number of major demo. reforms including free elections and the women's right to vote. For those who don't know, Qatar is the home of Al-Jazeera, the only free, Islamic media outlet in the ME outside of Israel. States like Kuwait and Jordan are also making feeble moves towards democracy. They may be the home grown, democratic guiding lights for the ME's future and not an American rebuilt Iraq. ted