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Christians in Iraq tell of ëstate terrorism'

-31/08/05

By Gary Hopkins

As Iraqis wait for the vote on their controversial new constitution, Christians working in Iraq have highlighted concerns about an emerging ëstate terrorism'.

Many Iraqis reportedly believe that things are going from bad to worse in the country with fears about corruption in the new government and brutal violence of newer Iraqi special police commandos, trained by the US and operating under the Ministry of Interior.

Peggy Gish, a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams which has maintained a continuous presence in Iraq since before the invasion, has indicated that the picture given by the U.S. government is very different to what real Iraqis are thinking and feeling.

Speaking from Iraq, she has suggested that many Iraqis believe that the American military has lowered their quality of life and set back their progress of building a peaceful and democratic society.

'Of the three million residents of Sadr City, a poor area of Baghdad, 72% have hepatitis A or E, because of polluted water' she said.

'Poverty is severe, with an estimated 40% unemployment, and increasing malnutrition. Cheaper foreign goods flooding the market and the take over of Iraqi businesses and oil production by U.S. companies, continue to erode the economy.

'Iraqi people live in daily fear of explosions and kidnappings by the violent resistance groups as well as violent house raids, indiscriminate roundups, abusive interrogations and imprisonment by U.S. and Iraqi forces.

'They are also worried about corruption in the new Iraqi government and the brutal violence of the newer Iraqi special police commandos, trained by the US and operating under the Ministry of Interior.

'Some call this ëstate terrorism.' Iraqis tell us about family members being abducted from their homes, tortured and sometimes found dead by a roadside.

'They worry that all the sacrifices and hardships they have endured will not lead them to a freer and safer life.'

As President Bush fights to improve his reputation over Iraq and battles to push through a new constitution, many believe it is only a matter of time before the true feelings of Iraqis surface above the more optimistic picture given by the U.S. government.

The President has been adamant that he will keep the U.S. military in Iraq until democracy is declared, but with the loss of 1,900 troops, it appears that America too is beginning to lose faith in their president, with his approval ratings at just 36 per cent.

The Iraqi people will decide upon a new constitution when it is put to a referendum in mid-October.

Gary Hopkins is a reporter for Ekklesia and a Methodist lay preacher. He can be contacted on: gary.hopkins@ekklesia.co.uk