Iraqi Protesters Oust Appointed Governor

[Nancy Waterman]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57791-2003Dec11.html

The demonstrators converged on the provincial governor's office on Sunday with banners, sleeping mats, cooking pots and a simple demand: Iskander Jawad Witwit should quit.

After three days and nights of continuous protests, Witwit did just that. But the demonstrators have refused to budge.

As soon as Witwit resigned, the local representative of the U.S. occupation authority appointed a former Iraqi air force officer as acting governor. To the protesters, that was unacceptable. The new governor, they insisted, should be chosen not by an American but by Iraqis -- through an election.

<snip>
The protesters have pledged to continue their sit-in outside the governor's office -- they have erected tents and dug latrines -- until their demand is met. Leaders of Hilla's largest labor unions have vowed to hold a general strike starting Saturday in support of elections.

Local leaders described the passionate but peaceful demonstration in this predominantly Shiite Muslim city as a preview of what U.S. occupiers will face if they follow through with a plan to select a provisional Iraqi government through regional caucuses instead of general elections. Although elections have become an increasingly popular rallying cry in Shiite-dominated central and southern Iraq, the protest here is the first indication that mainstream Shiites are willing to take to the streets to press the issue, adding a volatile new element to the country's impending political transition.

[arcane1]

1. what does democracy look like?

I believe THIS is what democracy looks like...

[starroute]

3. What an insidious strategy for bringing democracy to the Middle East!

If they think we want them to be democratic, they'll reject it. But if they think we're suppressing democracy, they'll camp out in the streets to demand it.

We may yet bring democracy to the Middle East, just as the Bushistas claim they intended all along. And all it will take is for us to play the jackbooted tyrants.

I love it a lot.

[neuvocat]

4. You're right!

I guess Bush did bring democracy to Iraq after all-though not in the way he intended.

Indeed it is a gift to be able to laugh and know that the world is mad. (Wish I knew where that quote came from.)

[arcane1]

5. Saddam was too strong, too entrenched, to be overthrown internally

so we took him out, and now Iraq is finally free to revolt and overthrow their oppressor

too bad it's us :evilfrown:

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. That's a start. Now on to ousting Bremer and the Crusaders

Root 'em out, round 'em up, send 'em home.

[xchrom]

6. ooo--weee

now that's democracy!