"I hope the United States and their allies don't leave Iraq"
Verona (AsiaNews) The Coalition Forces are the last defence against the chaos that fundamentalist terrorism wants to provoke in Iraq and the Middle East. Passing through Verona was Msgr. Jean Benjamin Sleiman, archbishop of Baghdad for members of the Latin rite, who agreed to the following interview with AsiaNews to explain why.
How do Iraqi's view the foreign military presence?
You have to distinguish between the ordinary civilian popolation and those which have planned attacks for political motives. These soldiers have done good things for the people here and they are well liked.
At any rate, I think that you needn't put too much trust into people's reactions, since they can change opinion quite easily. It is sufficient to chat with an Imam to become enemies with those with whom you were once friends.
And Italian soldiers, how are the viewed?
The work done by our soldiers is, above all, of a humanitarian nature. They have always taken care to serve and assist the local population. They have gone above and beyond their military peace mission: They have assisted children, the elderly, women and the sick.
Hoe does one explain the Nassiriyah massacre?
One must never forget that Italians are allies of the Americans. For terrorists, friends of the United States are their enemies. Perhaps greater security measures should have been taken. Anyway, whoever planned the attack weren't the type of people our soldiers run into every day on the streets.
Does the presence of the Coalition Forces have to continue?
Certainly, it must continue. But more cautiously. I hope the United States and their allies don't leave Iraq, because otherwise chaos will rise up again, even more violently than before, and could involve other countries of the region. An internal war could break out, with the possible risk of it spreading the to the rest of the Middle East. I hope the U.N. will return as quickly as possible and that other countries become involved.
What is the endless stream of attacks Iraq heading for?
Terrorists want their type "democracy" to be established in Iraq, that of Islamic law. They think that this is the only true form of democratic government not that of the West.
Can this plan spread to other countries?
Yes, indeed. The Shiite revolution in Iran (in the times of Khomeini) had influence in other parts. An eventual victory for terrorists in Iraq and the installation of a fundamentalist government could have great influence on the entire region. We need to prevent the spread of terrorist fundamentalism. But to achieve this, greater unanimity is needed within influential countries of the U.N.
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16/11/2004
