US embassy cable - 05DHAKA366

UNCLAS DHAKA 000366 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE 
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR, 
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) 
 
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45 
(MAJ NICHOLLS) 
 
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, OIIP, OPRC, KPAO, PREL, ETRD, PTER, ASEC, BG, OCII 
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Iraqi Elections; Dhaka 
 
Summary:  All newspapers say that elections in Iraq will 
lack legitimacy and deepen the crisis.  Pro Saddam "Inqilab" 
says the election will be identified as a black chapter in 
history. 
 
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IRAQI ELECTIONS 
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"The vote in Iraq" 
Independent English "New Age" editorially comments (1/30): 
Iraqis go to the polling stations today in what the United 
States sees as a decisive turning away from a horrible past 
and the rest of the world reflects on in nail-biting 
fashion. The crucial question now is whether the elections 
will produce the kind of political stability the occupying 
forces, led by Washington, have been looking for. A brief 
response to that question comes in a rather convoluted 
manner, which is that while the elections may yield a 
government America considers legitimate, the reality on the 
ground is that the political fragmentation in Iraq is too 
deep to be papered over by an uncertain election. Many in 
the West will expect Iyad Allawi's slate of candidates to 
win, and well he may. But, again, there is always the 
possibility of something different happening. The problem is 
that with so many competing forces out there, and this being 
the first electoral exercise Iraqis happen to be 
experiencing, it is hard to speculate on what might actually 
happen at today's voting. 
 
--------------- 
"What is this Election in Iraq?" 
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Jugantor" editorially 
comments (1/30): 
The Interim Iraqi Prime Minister has also expressed doubt 
about what percent of voters that will cast their votes in 
elections.  Tough security measures have been taken 
throughout the country.  Airports have been closed, a curfew 
is imposed, and private transport is banned.  All these 
measures have also panicked the general voters. 
International election observers are absent in Iraq.  The 
credibility of elections in this situation will always be in 
question.  A Shia and Kurd dominated general council will 
not be able to pave the way for democracy or freedom in 
Iraq.  Elections that are being held in the face of Sunni 
resistance will create a new crisis.  There is no 
controversy that Saddam's Iraq lacked democracy, but what 
the occupiers are doing in the name of establishing 
democracy will only deepen the crisis. 
------------ 
"Farcical Election in Iraq" 
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Amer Desh" 
editorially comments (1/30): 
At first, Iraq must be freed from foreign occupiers and U.N. 
peacekeepers must be deployed there in place of occupation 
forces to make elections meaningful.  A meaningful election 
can only be considered under the direct supervision of the 
U.N.  A democratic Iraq under the foreign occupation is an 
absurd thing. 
---------- 
"Farcical Election in Iraq" 
Pro-Saddam Bangla language newspaper "Inqilab" editorially 
comments (1/30): 
Occupiers have been trying to incite a civil war in Iraq. 
Iraq's future will plunge into serious uncertainty if their 
attempts succeed.  Today's elections of farce and the 
"electoral" conspiracy will be identified as a black chapter 
in history. 
 
Thomas