|
Mr.
President,
Greetings,
One of the most
important characteristics of a leader is his ability to
take decisive decisions, even difficult decisions; also
his ability to be able to reverse earlier bad decisions
without remorse or frustration. For criticism, including
self criticism, in addition to acceptance of logical
conclusions and reversing wrong decisions, bestows upon
a leader elements of humanity and depth of experience
and maturity.
The American
invasion of Iraq has resulted in huge material losses
and a great number of casualties among the innocent
including women, children and older Arab folks. Also
among the military of the allied forces, as soldiers
have paid with their lives in a crazy war without
understanding the reasons behind it and thus became the
equal of the innocent and steadfast people of Iraq. This
massacre of the innocents shall continue, and the
destruction shall worsen if you persevere in your
mistaken and sinful decisions.
Mr. President,
the lessons of history have taught us that Iraq can only
be governed by its people whose strength emanates from
the soil and ancient civilization of their country, from
the Tigris and the Euphrates and their centuries old
traditions and future aspirations. Iraq was never
governed by proxy, or by mandated, imported and
appointed leaders. Iraq has always rebelled against
forceful humiliation. In order to govern in Iraq certain
conditions must prevail including exceptional
capabilities; there is no better evidence of this than
the experience of Al Hajjaj bin Yousuf and centuries
after him Abdul Karim Kassem and lately Saddam Hussein.
These have their names inscribed in Iraqi history for
good or evil. However the newfangled leadership now
being imposed on the country will have no influence on
events in Iraq. This country is an important component
of Arab and Moslem civilization and shall forcefully
resist any artificial leadership that does not belong or
embrace Arabism.
Mr. President,
your position as President of the United States of
America makes of you the most powerful man on the face
of the earth. You have the power to control events on
land, sea and even space. From this powerful position, I
strongly believe that you possess the courage to admit
your error and thus avoid further losses among American
and Allied troops and refrain from the further massacre
of innocent Iraqi civilians. Such a decision shall be a
historic one, the decision of a brave God fearing man.
It will not be considered cowardly or shameful.
A historic leader
must have the courage to admit his mistake. That would
be to his credit and not to his detriment. Such an act
shall be received with gratitude and respect of people
around the world. It will be the beginning of an era of
understanding and affection between the people of the
world and the good natured people of America who were
held in high regard prior to your policies of aggression
around the world and the war in Iraq.
Mr. President may
I advise you to admit and accept the obvious. It is not
permissible to alienate, deny or continue your
aggression against an important and fundamental segment
of the people of Iraq; I mean by these the Arabs of
Iraq. For governance is part experience and part the
legacy gained over decades in power. The Arabs of Iraq
have always been and shall remain the spine of any
prospective government of that country. The act of
allowing the country to revert to its traditional rule
shall make the land of the Tigris and Euphrates the most
peaceful and stable country on earth. It is a courageous
and exceptional step dictated by conditions in Iraq and
shall be the prelude for a natural and peaceful
relationship between your people and the people of Iraq.
(I find myself forced by the imminent sectarian
divisions in Iraq to clarify that though I do not
differentiate between the branches of Islam, but have to
call political and historical facts by their true name).
Mr. President,
you might not for your own personal reasons agree with
my thesis, but again I strongly advise that you commit
to a resolution of the conflict. If you wish for this
resolution to be true, permanent, and enforceable, then
the agreement must be signed with the Arab Nationalists
of the country. They are the folks with the deepest
roots in the beloved land of Iraq. These are the people
whose roots go back to the era of the fist Caliphs. That
kind of agreement shall in no way preclude or impinge
upon the rights of other minorities in the country for
the nature of Arab Nationalism is all encompassing and
can hold within it the hopes and aspirations of all the
people of Iraq. My advice is given free and with no
other aim except my sincere desire to save the steadfast
people of Iraq and the coalition soldiers dying in
vain.
In conclusion may
I add that the history and culture of Iraq, in addition
to its important geographical location deserve your
serious consideration and vision? The current delusion
has resulted in the appointment of dummies and the
fabrication of symbols of power that have neither roots
nor history to govern Iraq and discriminate against its
people and attempt to destroy the true identity of the
country.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor | 
