I have to admit that it is very difficult to properly gauge the perspective of ordinary Iraqis from here in America. But one thing that has struck me is how little it appears that the U.S. appears to be communicating our intentions to the Iraqi people directly. For all I know Bremer is making daily tv appearances. But wouldn't it be a lot more effective if the President made a statement directly.
If I were President I would make a direct appeal to the Iraqi people and I would stress the following:
- The U.S. does not want to be there. I would emphasize that the U.S. will withdraw as soon as a stable Iraq can be achieved. The more resistance, the longer the occupation will continue.
- The occupation is not being done for profit. I would contrast the tens of billions of dollars being spent in Iraq with the relative drop of oil currently being produced. (Yes, we all have our questions about individual profiteering, but clearly the U.S. is not coming out ahead)
- The U.S. soldiers are professionals who are making a great sacrifice - spending months away from wives, husbands, and children - in order to help the Iraqi people and deserve their support.
- The Iraqi people do not have to be immediately satisfied with the Iraqi interim government. The beauty of democracy is that a country can change according to its needs in the future.
- By opposing insurgents, the Iraqi people will not be choosing the U.S. over Iraqis, they will be choosing stability over chaos.
With all the rhetoric being uttered by the administration about bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq there is a consistent, patronizing attitude that they take. They don't appear to respect the actual Iraqi people. I would like to see the Bush make a statement to Iraq pledging support and requesting the people's support.