Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: Siamo tutti Libanesi, sopratutto gli Irakeni

http://www.antiwar.com/ips/conley.php?articleid=9541
 Many Iraqis See Lebanon as Mirror Image
by Brian Conley
With Isam Rashid
BAGHDAD - Iraqis are beginning to see striking similarities between
Lebanese civilians and themselves three years ago.
Talk on the streets of Baghdad is taking a tone of oneness with the
Lebanese. Anger over the bombing of Lebanon that Iraqis say they can
feel as their own has led to some of the world's biggest demonstrations
against the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Shia militant leader Moqtada
al-Sadr has led one of the largest demonstrations against Israel.
"We know very well that American politicians support Israel and sent
them new bombs to attack Lebanon," Abu Mohammed, who was a senior
intelligence officer during Saddam Hussein's regime, told IPS. "At the
same time, they send aid to Lebanon, such as food and water. They did
the same in Afghanistan and Iraq before. But we don't need their aid
- we need them to be out of our country and away from all of the
Middle East."
New frustration is rife within Baghdad. The United States response in
support of Israel has further sharpened opposition to the U.S.-led
occupying army.
"I hate American politicians because they occupy Iraq, and I hate them
more because they help Israel to bomb Lebanon now," said Baghdad
resident Uday Adel. "I feel ashamed of Arab politicians when they asked
Bush for help to stop this war against Lebanon."
Asked how he felt about Israeli civilians who were killed or injured by
Hezbollah rockets, Uday said he was opposed to all killing of innocent
people.
"But this is war, and Israel chose this way," he said. "Hezbollah wants
to resist Israel and their weapons are old, this is why they use
Katyusha [rockets]. This is a very old weapon; sometimes it goes to the
wrong place and kills innocent Israeli people. Israel has new weapons,
but they intend to kill innocent Lebanese people."
Much of the outpouring of anger comes from Iraqi Shias in sympathy with
Shia Hezbollah, apart from empathy over the bombing of civilians. But
concern and sorrow over what the Lebanese have suffered appears to be
universal throughout Baghdad.
"I was shocked when I saw that all of the world did nothing to stop
this war," said Nora al-Samarrai in Baghdad. "This is a good time to
see how much American politicians support Israel against the Arabs. I
hope all the Arab people begin understanding how Israel is a big enemy
against the Arabs, supported by the U.S. and most of Europe's
countries."
Nora compared the response of Arab leaders in the Lebanon conflict to
similarly inadequate action against the United States intervention in
Iraq.
"This isn't the first time, Arab politicians did this before with Iraq
when the U.S. forces attacked in 1991, 1998, and 2003. Arab politicians
don't represent the Arab people, they represent themselves only."
The continued fighting in their own country has added to the particular
connection Iraqis feel with events in Lebanon.
Abu Mohammed said Iraq had really been at war since 1980 (when the
eight-year war with Iran began), with little reprieve. "Our hearts are
with the innocent people in Lebanon. We know very well what war means."
Some Iraqis spoke of the hand of Iran behind the scene in the Lebanon
war. Since the rise of Shias in Iraq, many Sunnis see Iranian
conspiracies behind their troubles.
"I think the war against Lebanon is big Iranian game to keep Iran safe
from the United States and Israel," said Baghdad resident Wisam Ashkah.
"Hezbollah is an Iranian party and they serve Iran, and the big loser
in this war is the Lebanese people."
Wisam Ashkah added, "I am ready to help them with all of my money, and
my life also." He qualified this offer, however, saying that Iraqis
feel helpless, and do not know where to begin to offer their support.
Abu Mohammed said the opposition to the United States transcends any
Sunni-Shia divisions. "The Sunni in Iraq will be with the Shia in Iraq
and with Lebanon and Syria against the U.S. troops and Israel. We are
all Arab and Muslims."
Nora al-Samarrai said she felt with the people in Lebanon "because we
have the same machine for killing, and I hope one day we will see the
American people in an uprising against their bad politicians and change
them for new politicians working for peace."
(Inter Press Service)

 
L'Iraq, come il Canada, non e' esente dall'avere idioti entro i loro
confini.
-Stefano