Baghdad is Burning

The following is a ten-question interview with Ahmed al Tabaqchali who currently lives in Baghdad. The interview was conducted by email and has been edited in some places for clarity.

Notio: What is the current situation in Iraq like right now?

Ahmed: Baghdad is burning. This is one of the oldest cities in the world and we have nothing to show for it. Right now it is a panic situation. Everyone here panics all the time. We never know what is going to take place from day to day. There is absolutely no security. None. There are no jobs. We have no place to work and if we did, it would be blown up. The insurgency is as strong as ever. I think it is probably at its height. I also think the insurgency will be finished after this. There is no way they can sustain what they are doing. Since the elections over 1,000 people have been killed. I do not know how many Americans have been killed, but they are dying too. More people are dying now than when Saddam was in power. I’m sorry to say, but the situation is sad here.

Notio: Is Iraq a democracy?

Ahmed: As compared to what? Sorry but this question is too brief. If you say is Iraq a democracy as compared to America, then the answer is no. If you say is Iraq a democracy as compared to Russia, then the answer is yes. I do not know if Iraq is a democracy. I have nothing to compare it to. I have only lived here. If you say is Iraq more democratic than before, then the answer is yes. Is Iraq democratic for the Middle East, then yes it is. I assure you, democracy is the last thing we think of right now.

Notio: Last summer I asked you how you felt towards America and everything that has happened. Your answer was that you and most Iraqi’s were totally grateful for America and George W. Bush. What is your answer today?

Ahmed: We love America. We are still very grateful for USA. There are times when my family and I sit and cry at the thought of what USA has been through just so we can be free. We are not free yet, but with the USA we will be. No other country in the world would do what USA has done. Some say the UK did. But we here in Iraq say that the UK is only helping USA because they are the ones who occupied Iraq first and are the ones responsible for Iraq condition now. The UK is only here because it bothers their minds. They know their colonization hurt everyone. Now they are trying to make it right. We are very grateful for America. God bless USA!

Notio: How do you view the elections? Was it free and fair? Was it democratic? What are your thoughts about the results?

Ahmed: The elections were a laugh. It was democratic as compared to other elections in Iraq. None of the people knew what was happening during the elections. We did not even know the people running for office. We did not even know the offices. The people here think the elections were only for American television. I think that too. The elections have not helped us. Maybe the next elections will be better.

Notio: How do you feel about the French, Russians and Germans who tried to stop the American invasion?

Ahmed: I will not comment on the French. You know how I feel about the French. If there is any country that has benefited from American invasions it is France. I will only say that.

I do not care about the Germans either. I do not think they can talk to anyone about war. At least not for another 5 generations. I am a student of history. I know these things. I don’t like this question. I like all countries and persons. No more answer to this.

Notio: What is the best thing America could do to turn things around in Iraq?

Ahmed: There are many things. Too many to type out right now. USA was not prepared for anything that happened after April 2003. USA is smarter than that. They should have planned better. I also want to make it known that bin Laden is not in Iraq. We have nothing to do with him. Neither did Saddam. Your war for 9-11 is not in Iraq.

I also want to tell people that USA did not invade Iraq for oil. We have no oil production right now. USA invaded to remove Saddam. The best thing USA could do is give security. We are tired of the dying. My brother was killed in February. We do not want any more death. If USA wants oil to produce then we need security. We would be happy to give USA our oil. My friend, security is my answer. No more brothers need to die.

Notio: Do you have any views on the current government of Iraq?

Ahmed: There is no government. There is no security. If there is a government it is not legitimate. What good is government without legitimacy? Saddam was a dictator, but we all knew he had the power. Who holds the power now? It will be years before any legitimate government is in place. We are an ancient civilization and we still need to be taught the modern roles of government. We had no Renaissance here. To skip an entire era is brutal on society. Most people here do not have electricity. Government is the last thing we think about.

Notio: How long should American troops stay in Iraq?

Ahmed: Forever. Just like for Germany and Japan. America is still there today. I know in America there is all talk about when the troops will come home. They need to stay for 50 years. As soon as USA leaves the Iranians and Syrians will come in. They are already here. USA did a bad job of securing the borders. As long as USA is here we stand a chance. If your troops leave it will be worse. I do not think Bush has the ability to plan like that. His mind does not think in the long term. He (Bush) did a poor job of planning from the beginning. He (Bush) only planned on removing Saddam, nothing else. That is why all the chaos today.

Notio: What are your hopes for the future?

Ahmed: I want to finish school. I hope to study in USA. I want a job so I can take care of my family. The situation here is bad. People do not sleep at night because they no longer have any dreams. What is the point of sleeping if you don’t dream? I want the killing to stop. The Iraqi people are not terrorists. We had nothing to begin with. You lose everything that you have and tell me how you would respond. People are responding the only way they know how, with anger. We all were so hopeful two years ago. We now feel lucky if we can make it to the market.

We do not hate USA. We are angry at it. When you have nothing, you lean on God. When you have nothing you see God as an angry God. That is why so much anger here. We have seen American military. Now we want to see the American dream.

I want to say to the people of America that we are thankful for your sons and daughters. We know that it has not been easy for you either. Our sons and daughters are dying by the thousands. We console with you. Your military is the best in the world. So is your compassion. Bring us your compassion. When I was in USA it was the greatest time of my life. There is so much happiness in USA. You dream so big. We are ready to dream now.
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Ahmed was a fourth year business student at Baghdad University when the American led invasion began in March 2003. He has yet to finish his education. He has lost three family members since that time as well. In the summer of 2003, Ahmed was one of 22 Iraqi students chosen to participate in an American state department program that allowed Iraqi students to study government and politics in America. The program was a reach-out designed at strengthening ties and relations for the future of Iraq and America. Sadly, after only one year, President Bush decided to cut funding for that program in his 2004 budget. It is doubtful the program will ever be revived. Talk about not planning ahead.