Iraqi PM says holding elections on time important to quell violence

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050105/wl_mideast_afp/iraqvoteallawi&cid=1514&ncid=1480


BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq (news - web sites)'s Prime Minister Iyad Allawi insisted that holding elections on time on January 30 was crucial to defeating the insurgency and quelling the unrelenting violence.

"The violence, terrorists and the outlaws will not be allowed to stop the political process and destroy the country," he told reporters in Baghdad.


"The Iraqi government and myself personally urge Iraqis to vote and participate in the political process," he said Wednesday.


Allawi warned those that have said that they would boycott the elections that their lack of participation would increase violence.


"Elections will play a big role in calming the situation and enable the next government to face the upcoming challenges in a decisive manner," he said.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. of course,, can't you see it working already?

less and less violence everyday as the election gets closer....
<sarcasm off>

[Lerkfish]

2. In other news, ventriloquist's dummies on sale!

Allawi says whatever Rove's hand up his ass tells him to.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. He could be right, if the elections aren't rigged

Unless elections are rigged, Allawi and the other quisling puppets who make up the so-called interim government will go down in flames and be replaced by a government of real Iraqis who will demand that Bush and his corporate cronies pick up their marbles and go home. Bremer's colonial decrees will be voided and new Iraqi government will take control of Iraqi resources in the name of the Iraqi people.

Perhaps that won't lead to stability, but it will lead to a situation where the Iraqis could solve their problems for themselves. They can do that better than the neocons can do it for them.

[bowens43]

4. You really don't think that will be allowed do you?

There will not be free and fair elections in Iraq as long as there is an occupation force.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Of course there won't be free and fair elections

Why should the neocons allow them in Iraq when they prevent them in Florida and Ohio?

Nevertheless, this could be beyond rigging. The US corporate media will no doubt spin an Allawi win as "a real shock and surprise", not disguising the fact that they (or their bosses in the corporate suites) regard it as a pleasant surprise and shock. The US public will buy it because they will see it on TV. The rest of the world will know better.

On the other hand, since it is beyond rigging, the Bushies might do well to acquiesce to defeat at the polls. For the time being, the Shias have put away their guns because they can gain power at the ballot box. If they believe that they've been robbed at the polls, then they will make what we saw a few weeks ago in Ukraine look like peaceful picketing.

In summary, the dilemma for the neocon colonialists is based on being able to fool the American public with a rigged election but no one else.

[Massachusetts]

11. They can't fool the rest of the world

I agree with your theory JR, but like Burger King, "hold the pickle, hold the lettuce", we (neocons) want it our way.

[Just Me]

5. uh huh,....riiiiiiight,....

,...whatever.

As long as the US continues to insist on a permanent military presence,...violence will also continue,...indefinitely.

Has history taught these profiteering power-mongers NOTHING?!?!

Geez,...

[0007]

6. I'd like to see Iraq vote democratically for the United States to leave

their country.

Bring the troops home today! Not after a soldier is broken or dead.

[Benhurst]

7. Free and open elections just cause trouble. Think how

fractious American society would be if we had them here.

[LynnTheDem]

15. LOL!

:D

[underpants]

8. Just like the killing of Uday and Qusay, "capturing" Saddam, ....

establishing the Iraqi legislature, the end of the CPA.....

Did I miss any?

[byronm]

10. mmm kaaayyyy

Yeah.. we all know how fair elections are in Iraq where journalists aren't allowed in areas, americans are sitting ducks and thousands of iraqi's die every week.

I can really see them wanting to stand in line for 8 hours to vote for some american puppet at the risk of being blown to bits by car bombs, small fire and rockets..

i can feel the excitement

[Tempest]

12. Two questions

1) How will holding the elections quell the violence?
2) Why will holding the elections quell the violence?


And do you know why you won't get answers to these questions from the U.S. appointed government or from the administration?

Because they don't believe it either.

[LynnTheDem]

13. Mr. Allawi...How're those "can be launched within 45 mins" WMD you lied

about???

[LynnTheDem]

14. Rumsfeld Expects Violence After Vote

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2894945

There they go again, getting their talking points mixed up.

[TolstoyAndy]

16. I'm sure this holds a lot of weight

:puke: :mad: No doubt, Allawi's "personal urging" is what will sway the ordinary Iraqi
who was worried about getting blown up while standing in line
to just go out there and cast one for the gipper.

And just before he leaves the house to vote, that ordinary Iraqi can tell his family,
"If I don't come home :nuke: because I got killed :nuke: ,
just remember that's a lie, because Mr. Allawi told us it's
lack of participation that causes violence".

"The Iraqi government and myself personally urge Iraqis to vote and participate in the political process,": yeah, and who wants to bet Allawi gets to cast his vote from the safety of his bunker in the Green Zone.

Man I would sure love some of the shit these guys are on.