NationStates Jolt Archive


Good News Watch

Alexandredias
20-05-2004, 03:09
This is my first post here so I’ll try to make it worthwhile.

Let’s face it – while the war in Iraq wasn’t the best war we’ve fought, it has brought around some pretty good results. Unfortunately, the media (as the media does) has really only pointed out the negative aspects.

1. This has been the third cleanest war in American history (for both the military and civilians) – the first and second being the Spanish-American War and the Gulf War.
2. One of the worlds most ruthless dictators of our time has been put out. He not only brutally murdered his own people, but more importantly, a point that is often disregarded, he did some pretty major funding for the terrorists we are fighting against. This was not a “war for oil” even though that could be called a bonus. Neither is it an attempt by Bush to finish his father’s work – he never claimed that and such an argument is poor logic.
3. Democracy is spreading - in the province of Dhi Qar, about 230 miles southeast of Baghdad and a backwater even by Iraq's standards, residents voting as families will have elected city councils in 16 of the 20 biggest cities by next month. In Baghdad, American authorities created nine district councils with representatives sent by 88 neighborhood advisory councils. The district councils, in turn, sent representatives to the Baghdad City Advisory Council to work with the American administration.
4. The situation is looking bright for the Iraqi people as well. One man was reported as saying "[M]y salary was about 17 US$ before the war. Shortly after the war it was raised to 120 US$. Three months after that, they made it 150 US$. Two months later it became 200$... [and] from the next month... [it] will be around 300 US$"
5. Also, retired government employees are finally getting decent pensions. Also, according to the Iraqi Minister of Labour and Public Affairs, "We have rehabilitated the orphanages, the centres for the handicapped and special needs institutions in Iraq, as well as the institutions for the deaf and blind. Work is on to accommodate all the homeless and orphaned children and ensure the needs of the handicapped. In addition, we have opened 28 offices for the ministry in different parts of the country to accept applications of Iraqi citizens in search of employment and job training."
6. As far as education goes, there is good news as well. "More than five million Iraqi students are back in school and more than 51 million new Ba'ath-free textbooks are in circulation." And Iraqi universities are experiencing a “brain drain in reverse, as many of the thousands of academics forced into exile under Saddam are coming back to teach the next generation of students”.
7. In health related news, "some 100,000 healthcare professionals working in 240 re-opened hospitals and 1,200 clinics." The health system has to be rebuilt almost from scratch: "[it] was 'already badly run down' due to previous wars, sanctions, drastically reduced spending - some estimates suggest the Iraqi health budget was cut by 90 per cent during the 1990s - as well as an inequitable health treatment policy."
8. Also, Iraq is getting into the world scene culturally and in other recreational ways. "In a stunning upset victory, the Iraq national football team defeated Saudi Arabia 3 to 1 to earn a trip to the 2004 Olympic Summer games in Athens." It's the first time in Iraq's history that the Iraqi football team will compete in the Olympics. Other areas of life previously suppressed are experiencing cultural revival - like traditional Kurdish music. "Before, Arab music was the most popular, but now even the latest albums aren't selling... Many more people are buying Kurdish music," says Niyaz Zangana, who runs the popular Zang record store in Arbil. Not just Kurds, but also Marsh Arabs, whose homeland was destroyed by Saddam as collective punishment for rebellion, are reviving. With the marshes being reflooded and ecosystem restored, the ancient culture is returning to the mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
9. And yes, of course there is the oil factor. But surprise! It is the Iraqi people who are benefiting from this. "Iraqi crude oil sales since last year's U.S.-led invasion hit more than $9 billion... The Coalition Provisional Authority had deposited a total of $9.28 billion in its Development Fund for Iraq." "Some 20,000 contractors are doing business in the country with relatively few security problems... Most are sharing in the $18.4 billion that has been allocated by the U.S. government to rebuild roads, public utilities, schools, housing and other parts of the Iraq economy." Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, says: "While the Army Corps of Engineers has been mostly restoring oil infrastructure, it is also creating and improving ports, airports, roads, bridges, schools and health clinics. The corps has replaced more than 700 electrical towers throughout Iraq". The goal is to restore 6,000 megawatts to the national grid by June 1. About 4,500 megawatts are currently on the national grid." In fact, overall "about 2,200 different [reconstruction] projects worth around US$2.5 billion were under way, with 18,000 already completed. Targets had been met with oil production, which was back to 2.3 million barrels a day, clean drinking water and power."
10. Private organizations are also helping. Enormous donations of toys have gone into the country and "In response to a request from the U.S. 1st Marine Division, Spirit of America donated 10,000 school supply kits, 3 tons of medical supplies and 2 tons of Frisbees printed with 'Friendship' in English and Arabic. These items will be given to Iraqis by the Marines as gifts of friendship from the American people."
11. The security situation is looking good too. Kurd-controlled areas are going so well that you never hear anything about them: "American soldiers based here don't have to call in air strikes against foreign fighters or exchange gunfire with Baathist loyalists. Nor do they live in mortal fear of deadly IEDs, or improvised explosive devices, along the roadsides. In fact, says one soldier who travels in this area, 'I always see the thumbs up, and little kids offer us candies'." Also, across the country, people are beginning to show more appreciation for American troops.

As in every wartime situation, there are going to be problems. But we have to remember that that is only one side of the coin. While people will argue for years whether Bush’s actions were good or not, it is obvious that most Iraqis are starting to settle down and living better lives then before.