Iraqis ask about Bush's sincerity
Baghdad (AsiaNews) It's a fact that there have been incidences of torture, harassment and mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, justifying heated reactions among the local Arab population. Yet, it is the indignation of American president George Bush and way of apologizing to the victim's relatives that show the other side of American sensitivity.
As Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran said: "The images have had a tremendous impact not only on the Arab population, but on the whole world. When, human dignity is tread upon like this, it creates a barrier (among people)." However, the former Vatican foreign minister, added: "the reaction of President Bush is very clear. Normally, the US army does not behave like this" and now we must "look to the future" for improved examples of behavior.
The reactions of President Bush, much awaited for by Iraqis and Arabs, occurred in three phases.
The first came in an exclusive interview conducted by the Al-Arabiya television network and aired on May 5. During the interview the US leader "did not even utter the word 'sorry'," noted Lebanese minister of culture, Ghazi Al-Araidi, whose country is considered to be pro-America.
President Bush also offered his views to the public on Iraqi television on the Coalition's Arab-language "Al Hurra" network . Yet even this television appearance was viewed negatively by the public. "They (the United States) think Arab public opinion is naïve," commented Ali Hamade, an Arab political analyst.
The third time was the most credible reaction of the US commander-in-chief, which came at a press conference with Jordan's King Hascemità. At the press conferences, the American president finally spoke with words that may be interpreted as an apology.
Reactions around the Arab world were silent.
Yet Iraqi Kurdish leader, Sivan Barzani, said when contacted by AsiaNews that he thought Bush's words of apology were "an important and courageous step". The torture and harassment of prisoners at the notorious Abu-Ghraib were, in his opinion, "isolated cases".
"While their actions are inadmissible," Barzani added. "We need to bear in mind that there are non-military personnel working in the jail, who are civilians hired on short-term contracts." One must also remember, he said, that the American army finds itself under immense pressure in surroundings where it's "50 degrees in the shade, while constantly on guard, far from home, in a different culture and at a young age."
Raimond Adel Sami, an Iraqi Catholic who believes in President Bush, said "these violations do not represent the American people (and) no nation can believe that it is entire pure of conscience or free of error. Therefore there's no need to judge an entire population on the basis of the actions of a few single criminals."
"Where was the Arab press when such violations were committed by the former Iraqi government?" Sami asked.
Of the complete opposite opinion is an Iraqi Sunni, Al-Shammari. "All of Iraq is held prisoner in American hands. (Their) indirect apologies are not enough. I am sure that no preventative or punitive measures will be taken," he said. Regarding Bush's statements, Al-Shammari added: "They are mere justifications. We've had our dignity stepped on and we've not heard any serious words of repentance."
.png)
