Ex-Iraqi U.N. Ambassador Favors Democracy

AP ^ | May 1, 2003

[Shermy]

DOHA, Qatar - Mohammed al-Douri, who as Iraq's U.N. ambassador vigorously defended Saddam Hussein's regime until he acknowledged its fall, said in an interview Thursday that Iraq should now have a democratic government.

"The situation in the region has changed. Democracy is the way to go," al-Douri said in an live interview with Dubai-based al-Arabiya television.

Before any new government can be set up or win support of the people, however, the former envoy to the United Nations said U.S. forces would first have to leave Iraq.

"This should not be done while the occupation forces are still there, otherwise people will not see this as legitimate and will contest it," al-Douri said.

The former diplomat, who left New York weeks ago for Syria, said Iraq must establish an elected national authority and an agency to look into a new constitution. The new constitution should be put to the people for a vote, he said.

Thursday's interview appeared to take place in al-Arabiya's main studio complex in the Persian Gulf city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Al-Douri fielded call-in questions. Calls to al-Arabiya seeking details went unanswered early Friday morning.

Al-Douri envisioned a constitution calling for a republic-style government with a division of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. An elected president would serve four-year terms.

The constitution would also confirm that "Iraq is part of the Arab world."

Among other al-Douri recommendations was that the supreme law of the land stipulate that "Islam is the official religion, with full respect and recognition of other religious minorities in the country." But he said it should not be an Islamic government.

It should also guarantee the freedom to establish different political parties and allow the Kurdish minority self-rule in their regions. Arabic, Turkmen and Kurdish would be deemed official languages.

Al-Douri emphasized the need for national unity in the new Iraq, saying "those who think they are in power in Iraq, speak about numbers, the number of Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, all this drives a wedge between all these groups."

In the months of diplomatic wrangling before U.S.-led forces invaded, Al-Douri vehemently defended Iraq at the United Nations, insisting his country had no mass destruction weapons and was cooperating with U.N. inspectors.

With U.S. troops making swift gains on the ground in early April, Al-Douri was the first Iraqi official to acknowledge publicly that Saddam's rule was over.

[Shermy]

[George W. Bush]

No matter what he says, he can never replace Baghdad Bob in our affections.

Once Saddam had fallen, this ambassador made quite reasonable remarks. My impression was that of a Westernized Arab, a man of modern outlook. As such, his remarks are probably representative of a large class of educated people in Iraq. I think he's on the wrong track with establishment of Islam as state religion. And he's wrong about holding an election and writing a constitution only after the coalition leaves. We will still there when those things happen.

[Shermy]

I liked him at that good-bye doorstep talk he gave. Calling Americans "good and decent people," praising New York, hoping for the best future.

If not implicated with too much crime, might have a later role. However I think he's a brother or relative of the "king of clubs" named al-douri. Could be wrong.

[AmericanAge]

I still want to see the Info Minister get a job for an arab newspaper or TV station. I can just picture his takes on the various events in the world throughout history.

"Our heroic passengers have lit fire to the Hindenburg to crash it and take out as many of those crusading pigs as possible!"

"Allied Forces are nowhere near near Berlin. German forces still hold Washington DC, and are near to taking New York!"

"Nothing is wrong in Hiroshima. We will air a video of the emperor broadcasting from Hiroshima shortly."

"The Pharoh is teaching the zionist slaves a lesson near the Red Sea. Surely, they will be punished, and they will die!"

[VOA]

I liked him at that good-bye doorstep talk he gave. Calling Americans "good and
decent people," praising New York, hoping for the best future.

Thanks for posting...somehow I missed that quote coming from the former ambassador.

Who knows? The fellow should probably be trusted with a lower-to-mid level job
in rebuilding Iraq and evaluated for trustworthyness.

Hey, liberation from tyranny is not just for white Europeans anymore...
and the ability to rehabilitate (as long as there isn't too much blood on the guy's hands)
should be at least an option.

[tessalu]

Iraq needs a true democracy, and it it the only thing that will bring them happiness and peace. All people in Iraq need to learn that they have no good reason to make others suffer because of their religion. Shiites have no good reason to be marching in the streets, and cutting themselves, shooting in the air, and doing such things that dampens the happiness of others. What they do should be in the confines of their mosques, where no one sees or cares. To heck with Ramadan, where they try to contol what other people eat. Let them eat in the darkness, if they want, but leave all others alone. In Saudi, they punish anyone caught eating during day light hours, for the month of Ramadan. None of them respect others beliefs as they should. Most of them need good lessons in MYOB.
Mind your own business. This is a bad Arab trait to try to be minding others peoples business.

[WOSG]

In the interests of the new Iraqi Republic, I present:

Al Dhouri for Congress!

His platform: Equal rights for comb-over baldies!

[WOSG]

Actually he was a lawyer. Could be trusted teaching law at U of Baghdad. Will be less anti-American than your average Harvard law prof! LOL!

[He Rides A White Horse]

In the months of diplomatic wrangling before U.S.-led forces invaded, Al-Douri vehemently defended Iraq at the United Nations, insisting his country had no mass destruction weapons and was cooperating with U.N. inspectors.

It's a case by case basis. Some people worrying about their families in the hands of Saddam's henchmen would say things like that.

Baghdad Bob may be an example of that. It appears that he has tried to turn himself in, but doesn't seem to be a 'catch' to coalition forces.

[He Rides A White Horse]

It's very easy for some of us to say, "Guilt by association, I would have not been Saddam's this, that, or the other".

Picturing your mother being held over a vat of acid might give one a new perspective in some of these cases.

[Publicus]

The Founders of our great Republic already considered forming a new society from scratch and comprised of a multitude of ethnic groups and religions and a system of checks and balances.

Douri needs to read the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers. These two works will answer ALL his questions.

[Publicus]

You are right!

In find it disgusting that ALL the ant-Americanism in the world are concepts that were hatched by certain individuals currently enjoying positions in...US ACADEMIA!