March 25, 2003

THE HOUR OF LIBERATION HAS COME:

Dr.Chalabi addresses Iraqi people (Iraqi National Congress, 3/25/2003)
Dr Ahmed Chalabi addressed the Iraqi people from Northern Iraq on the arabic language of Radio Sawa, which is widely listened to throughout Iraq. He spoke shortly after the announcement of the Coalition action to liberate Iraq saying:

“The hour of liberation has come. Your dark night is coming to an end.”


Iraqis may one day remember Dr. Chalabi as the French remember de Gaulle or the Poles Lech Walesa. Posted by Paul Jaminet at March 25, 2003 9:46 PM
Comments

I wouldn't get my hopes up.



He could be another Synghman Rhee for all we know,

Posted by: M Ali Choudhury at March 25, 2003 10:44 PM

Will it be a good thing if the Americans don't remember him as they remember DeGaulle?

Posted by: mike earl at March 26, 2003 12:40 AM

I'm with Ali: my hopes for Mr. Chalabi are rather low. The INC faction has been given to issuing veiled threats to the administration, because they dislike this or that. How many divisions does the INC have?

Posted by: Paul Cella at March 26, 2003 2:48 AM

At the very least, I think it not unrealistic to assume that any post-Saddam Iraqi government (or regime) in order to achieve legitimacy, must (after the appropriate words of gratitude), of necessity show coolness, if not antagonistism, towards Washington (in addition to cementing its credentials by voicing strident opposition to Israel).



While this is neither a pleasant nor desirable outcome (at least, regarding Washington), if the goal is to create a viable, united and non-threatening Iraq, then it may have to be settled for.



And one hopes that in the years to come, Iraq will be too busy rebuilding the country's civil infrastructure (for the good of all its citizens) to do more than spout chilling words.

Posted by: Barry Meislin at March 26, 2003 4:14 AM

I was under the impression that the French,

as well as the Americans, have no very

fond memories for DeGaulle. 1968 was

an annuus mirabilis, was it not?



I still hope -- very, very faintly -- that

we will break up Iraq into its natural

constituent communities, declare an

independent Kurdistan and demand that

Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria

hold plebiscites.



Bush can do this very cheaply, help friends

of ours and dish five of our worse enemies.



So why would he not?

Posted by: Harry Eagar at March 26, 2003 6:55 PM
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