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Commentary: Freedom takes time, work

Fervor and conviction fairly radiated from her eyes as she asserted, "Our country must be one of laws. Good, strong, fair laws. Laws like we had from over fifty years ago. And then, with those as our base, we must have strong and enlightened leadership that will work to solidify us as a country whole - not a partitioned state,"

Such were the first words in the one of multiple interviews with four Iraqis. These individuals' diverse backgrounds and experiences well represented their work associates with jobs range from engineering, law and journalism to security, maintenance and custodial services. Simply counting only those who employed by, and integral to, the logistical efforts and support to the headquarters of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division in the International Zone, there are an approximate 1,650 of their countrymen. Virtually all aspects of construction throughout the country - constituted by a substantive figure of workers well beyond this - is done by Iraqis.

Some of the discussions were in English, others in Arabic. But in all cases, repeated efforts properly captured what they wished to express. Prior to completion of this story, all parties were again afforded an opportunity to alter any segments or words they felt did not accurately portray that which they wanted to tell.

EK - initials used to protect her anonymity - is a young lady of 26 but already imbued with great strength and firm convictions. She is also an attorney and an integral member of the GRD Office of Counsel in the International Zone. "We must not loose sight of the value of our 'old laws' that pre-dated Saddam Hussein. All were treated equally under them, Sunni, Shiite and Christians. We must not step backward as we toil to re-create our country."

With this larger view of Iraq's legal system in mind, she daily addresses her GRD chores of reviewing - among many - Iraqi contracts according to Iraqi law, keeping her US legal office mates current of new Iraqi law developments, providing legal translation of Iraqi government orders, deed, notices, contracts and acts as well as providing legal opinions of any issues regarding Iraqi compensation or labor issues.

As her long, thick, chestnut colored hairs waves with vigorous nods of agreement, HE, an administrative assistant in the GRD Safety Office, adds, "Before Saddam, everyone in our country lived and labored in harmony. I remember when a neighboring Christian family had a propane gas tank explode in their home." The forty year old mother of two continues, "All of our community - Shiite, Sunni and Christians - mourned their deaths and worked together to help surviving family members."

Like EK, her job is one of significance as well. In a manner of speaking, it is one of consensus building for the future Iraq. "In Iraq we have never had such individuals as Safety Officers. Few precautions were taken in the workplace and, as a result, many workers each year have been, unnecessarily injured and even killed. I hope I can help change this."

Among the duties she handles each day is translation for the non bi-lingual U.S. members of her team, preparation of daily status reports from throughout GRD assets countrywide, creation of bi-weekly situation reports and attendance in weekly meetings with the Commanding General when her boss, the GRD Safety Director, is traveling.

In farewell remarks, the morning of the recent GRD change of command, MG William McCoy spoke of the importance of Iraqis' work efforts. He said, "These are some of the bravest folks I have ever known. Many must daily traverse their own, personal gauntlet of terrorism, facing the potential of injury or death in order to come to work with us in the re-building of Iraq. In convoy security operations alone, to date, the vast preponderance of the 105 killed and 317 wounded have been Iraqi."

On the faces and through their words, the hope for the future of this country, by these two women, is readily obvious; their fear for the present equally apparent.

EK says, "We are both sad and afraid. This sectarian violence is a terrible thing. Too often this killing is revenge driven and many of those responsible are from outside of our country who come here only to cause our country distress. We must take charge of our country's future. Iraqis have traditionally always taken care of our own - we must return, as a nation, to that standard."

Her back straightens a bit more and her eyes steel as she asserts, "Sexism is also, still, a major problem here. Woman should be allowed to realize their full potential. Woman's rights must be a priority as we worry about those who would force us back to the more traditional subservient roles demanded of women in several of our neighboring countries."

So what of a man's perspective in this discussion?

With an almost classic Arabic profile, dark black hair and neatly trimmed mustache, MR is a stocky 42 year old and the father of six - ranging from eight to twenty-four. He has twenty-five years of experience in the Iraqi Army where he as a captain. He is quiet in nature, with the kindest of smiles. His eyes clearly convey his intelligence.

He has now worked with the Americans for nearly two years now and holds the responsible position of Supervisor of Custodial Services in the largest structure in the GRD compound. He agrees with EK and HE that "outside parties from nearby countries" are a substantive force striving to destabilize Iraq. Mid emphatic gestures with his hands he exclaims, "They fear that if a democracy works here in Iraq those who live in their countries will want the same."

"However," he adds, "I believe we moved too far too fast. My countrymen and women are not yet ready for free elections. We have been under a dictatorship too long. We voted, all too often by all too many, as we were told and without our own thought of the major impacts of not electing those who truly held the best interests in mind for Iraq. As a result, I believe, our parliament is too sectarian based." "Why," his gestures growing yet broader, "look at how they sit in bloc groups - clearly focused on only their own selfish interests, rather than the good of the country whole."

His eyes eagerly seeking understanding of what he says, he continues, "Americans are trying very hard to help us. You of GRD have helped us try to re-build our country's infrastructure. For this we are deeply in your debt. But, honestly, beyond this construction, it was wrong to turn over too much responsibility to us too fast as we had no well rounded, forward thinking leaders here to help us plan and work, together, for the future."

"I don't believe Americans understand that we Iraqis simply are not yet ready for all that constitutes a full and open democracy." With a soft smile his dark eyes look up as he quietly adds, "But, as I watch the international news, sometimes I even wonder if all of your Americans understand what must go into a democracy for it to work well!"

"So very many good intentions and great efforts have been given to us by the coalition - primarily you Americans," he continues, "but our police and military simply weren't prepared for all that they now face. They are, themselves, not yet mature. There is still too much corruption in my country. There is violence, or the fast and easy threat of it, everywhere. No one feels safe with the 'militias' running amok."

His head bobbing in agreement, MS, is a strikingly handsome, young man of 23 who closely resembles the 1950's Hollywood actor Sal Mineo. His positive, infectious, personality makes all with whom he deals smile.

Working with a large contract security company for over two years helping keep the GRD compound safe, the former Iraqi Army sergeant, started as a security guard, was promoted to shift supervisor and recently was promoted again to a responsible position in the organization's logistical arm. He is fast to point out that a major factor fomenting and conducting terrorist attacks on civilians and complex assaults on logistical convoys are the "Iraqi militia." His face grows serious as he says with passion, "They are very bad. You, from the United States have come here to help us and they make it very dangerous and difficult for you to do so."

His opinions are similar to the others in his believing that the Iraqi government is not organized nor strong enough yet to handle all of the responsibility placed on them. "Sadly, too," he adds, "there are still too many who wish only to make fast and easy money through bribes and corruption rather than help their country. They think short term and for themselves when they should be thinking long term and for all Iraqis!"

He likewise concurs with the other's assessment that there are still significant problems with the military and police. "As long as they were working closely with the American Soldiers they were kept honest and accountable. But too soon they were told to take on those duties on their own. It was too fast. They weren't ready yet," he states.

MS looks up briefly seeking the right words, "Iraq needs one strong leader who will side with no one other than Iraq. Not the Shiite. Not the Sunni. Not Christians. Not the Kurds. We need someone to lead us who has high morals, good principles and wants this country for all who live here."

Thoughtfully he pauses and looks around him observing, "Increasingly, I think we are coming to realize that the attainment of freedom takes more time and work then we had ever understood before or even imagined."

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq

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