THE DATE
Many people on many lands are waiting to see what the date June 30, 2004 is going to man in their lives.
Some will view it as a potential moment of blessing and a time when a new era of freedom will begin in their homeland. The people of Iraq will be in this group - or some of them, at least. There is no assurance that all the people will welcome the coming of self-ruler ship by an Iraqi government, and there will be others who are going to oppose the concept violently.
Here in the United States we are divided in opinions concerning what the day may bring, as well. We do not have the violent fringe to worry about in a primary sense, although opposition can assume some injurious roles among our citizens which could harm our nation well-being and sense of unity.
We all recall the mixed opinions we expressed so loudly when the new century loomed and we faced the mystery of events to take place at the exact turn of the century. The dire predictions for that moment were a varied lot and none of the worst ones proved not to be true. Some people face the current problem date with the same doubt, distrust and confusion. Many are ignorant of the potential of Iraq as a new, free and independent nation among many. The entire system is at stake if the mind of many and a failure in Iraq would result, they insist, on weaknesses becoming more evident here at home.
I do feel we must curb our evident enthusiasm to see the trial working out s planned. The conception of a democratic society is a totally new concept for the Iraqi subject and many fail to grasp any sound reason for making such drastic changes.. They are used to the older methods and they have lived well in their view and prospered in their old system which they feel has served their needs. To try a new and foreign system of government does not go well with many local citizens and we need to be aware of this and to try to understand their resistance to change.
To us, it seems to be a logical,sensible path to take, but that is not, of necessity, the view of the very people who have been selected to bring home rule to the land. The opposition has already attempted to thwart the start of the democratically-oriented regime. Two of the new national leadership have been assassinated and other such incidents are to be expected in the few days remaining until the end of the month. June 30th is not to be seen as a magic moment. It is a convenient deadline which was established, I fear, largely though pressures from the United Nation faction in this equation. That element, itself, through erratic actions of a weak, inefficient and self-serving loyalty standard, may prove to be a major part of any future difficulties we meet with in Iraq and other eastern areas. We face our greatest danger of defeat, not from the Iraqi people, but from those factions which have been so long in power and who still exist in modified forms which are both alien and indigenous among us.
A.L.M. June 13, 2004 [554wds]
