Pam wrote me last week in response to my request to help me answer your questions. Please continue to send me your questions–I’ve got several that I plan on answering in the coming weeks.
Pam asked:
I would like to know about the general perceptions of the Iraqi people insofar as our soldiers being there helping secure their future, building/repairing schools, roads, etc. Â Do most of the Iraqi people look upon us with gratitude, or do they want us to vacate their country. Â So many conflicting reports are in print and on the news. Â What’s your take on this?
First of all, I, nor any other non-Iraqi, of course, can not speak for the Iraqi people. Their government has said they want us to remain here and they are the elected authority to speak for the people. Not only that, in a recent election–I believe–they voted overwhelming to keep that government in power. So, that is a good place to start.
This is my take. If our country was conquered by anyone and they had their troops rolling out on our streets day after day–I would kinda want them to leave too. But, this force is protecting them from dictators and a more dangerous terrorist force. I think, in some ways, the people are happy that we are here for that reason.
Over the past year or so, we have been steadily handing over the opporation to the Iraqi people. Our Soldiers see their Solders often and the Iraqis are taking over. You don’t see that on the news–but they are. I can’t think of a patrol have gone on in which I haven’t seen an Iraqi Soldier, Policeman, or SOI (Sons of Iraq). They are taking control and responsibility for the defense of their country.
Another thing I see are smiles and waves as pass through a village. I am not so naive to think that everybody out there is our friends–but I see more and more progress taking place. I think the people are begining to see progress taking shape and life returning to normal.
I think it is perfectly natural for the Iraqis to not want us in their business. At the same time–I think that the average Iraqi is also supportive of the work we are getting done–even if it means that progress itself means that we will leave that much sooner.