Open Letter to President-Elect Obama from the Political Council for the Iraqi Resistance

This is an interesting letter from the Political Council for the Iraqi Resistance, an Iraqi insurgent “political” coalition comprising of six major Sunni militant groups.  

It has been interesting to track the various online responses by militant groups to the elections and it is something I will be looking at quite closely in the coming weeks. 

—–

An Open Letter: To Barak Obama the new president of the United States of America 

We should put in front of you some points for the new American administration to benefit from and to use to avoid the mistakes that the old administration fell into: 

I- The reason why you won the presidency is not because the Americans suddenly found out that they should not be racist, it is because of the many mistakes that the Bush administration fell under which didn’t leave for the American citizen any room, not even for a second to think about keeping that administration and the least proof for this is the large numbers of votes against them. 

II- Your campaign promises were built on change and the time for it has come, and we say with that the time has come- the destruction that the previous administration caused for our country from killings, displacement, civil war and racism- has damaged your reputation as American people and it damaged elements of a nation that did not attack you by your own recognition and therefore we ask for change and do not listen to those who tell you that a withdrawal from Iraq is a defeat. We say to you that a withdrawal will mean a triumph of reason and logic. 

III- The vast number of people who have voted for you means that you can take your actions with courage. The disarray of those before you hurt the American people before anyone else, Allah swt has told us in his righteous book that he created man to get to know each other not for one to kill the other O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). 

IV- We are a country known for its courage and generosity and our good treatment to strangers. Whoever is good to us we are good to him more than he is good to us, and whoever attacks us he will find from us no mercy, so what do you think we will do to an invader who tampered with our religion and our country, its destiny, security and unity? 

V- To surround our countries security by making agreements with others around us to accomplish your interests and their interests at the expense of the interests of our people will have serious consequences. It is up to you not to try this and not to solve your problems with others at our expense and you should understand this. 

VI- We will be flexible in dealing with your withdrawal but it must not be as part of a security deal with parties that are traitors or a made up government. You must correct your mistakes and work with courage to pay compensation to all those who you have destroyed, their families or their house or their psychology. And you must release all those you have as prisoners until the last Iraqi of them, and you must order the sectarian government to release all its prisoners and to return the balance of security to Iraq. Without this we will not think that you will be coming with the change that you have promised, and if you do this you will be written down in history as the courageous one. 

And finally we in the resistance are staying on our promise to liberate our country and we will not tear from this, the history of our grandparents is the best witness and we will be the best next of kin to that kin in protecting the sanctity of our nation

– PCIR

…And Now, Time to Fix the Domestic Economy

by Vivian Salama

PostGlobal – WashingtonPost.com

 

The last sip of celebratory champagne is now gone, and so, without a moment’s delay, it is imperative for President-elect Barack Obama to assemble a strong strategic transitional team that can work to heal the wounds of a disillusioned America. A carefully selected team must coordinate with the Bush administration in ensuring a smooth and effective handover. Traditionally the President-elect has stayed out of the spotlight in the two-and-a-half months prior to his inauguration. However, in the words of Senator Hillary Clinton, never have we had as “lame duck” a president as George W. Bush.

President-elect Obama was the clear choice for triggering the shockwave needed at a time when America has few friends abroad and domestic confidence in government is at an all-time low. While people around the world continue to celebrate the clear and momentous significance the victory of Barack Obama signifies in our world’s history, we mustn’t forget that there is a crisis at hand that catchy slogans and smooth-talking rhetoric can not and will not solve. His administration should act quickly in order to capitalize on the momentum of this historic victory.

Where I sit in Dubai, the excitement surrounding a Barack Obama victory is palpable — and the same holds true for the entire region. This election meant so much to so many people around the world for several reasons. People in much of the Middle East have lived the last eight years fearful that one wrong word could bring American warplanes calling.

However, confident markets like Dubai’s and bullish markets like that of Egypt found themselves in a nosedive with news that Wall Street was losing steam. Repairing America’s reputation globally must start with an immediate — and non-partisan — fix to the domestic economy. A distracted and bitterly divided Washington ignored several issues surrounding Congress’s $700 billion bailout package. Financial institutions receiving government support are suspected, in some cases, of having used the capital for other purposes. If the government is going to alter its role by nationalizing banks, then those banks should be susceptible to a stringent checks and balances system. President-elect Obama has not a moment to spare if he and his administration, wish to avoid catastrophe and earn the trust and respect of Americans, their colleagues in Washington, and citizens of the world.

He must also consider certain long-overdue ways of trimming costs, such as closing Guantanamo Bay and cutbacks of any and all unnecessary expenditures in Iraq and Afghanistan (so long as they do not compromise the security of American troops or the inhabitants of both countries).

The elections are over — now it is time to get to work.

It may sound cliché to link this historic event to the American dream — but then, many called the candidacy of the junior senator from Illinois just that; a dream and nothing more. As an American-born child of immigrants, I have seen marginalization, and I have felt cynical that the country to which my parents have given so much would not give back in the same way. The last eight years have been tainted by disappointment, fear and disenfranchisement. It is time for change in the most radical of ways. Many believe that if Obama can win the presidency, then anything is possible. Barack Obama has captured the support and admiration of millions around the world. The hard part now is deciding how to maintain it. The road to financial recovery is one that is long and grueling. However, if he can pave it smoothly and quickly, I reckon that people around the world will readily follow. 

Obama Wins the Race for President

It is early in Dubai as I sit here watching celebrations around the world with the announcement of Barack Obama’s victory.  Regardless of their political views, I hope people recognize the significance of this win.  My generation and those that follow have every reason to believe that America is as much theirs as anybody else’s, and never as much as today.  In an America where a black man can be elected into office just half a century after some of the most horrendous acts of discrimination and hate took place, anyone can achieve anything with hope and commitment.  I have spent most of the last 5 years living in the Middle East and have all too often had to explain myself for America’s faults.  For the first time n a long time, I am feeling a lot of pride.  Anything is possible.

WOW.

Added on 11/5/08:

I heard this on the radio this morning and thought it was really lovely:

“Rosa sat so Martin could walk… 

Martin walked, so Obama could run… 

Obama is running so our children can fly!”

Official Al Qaeda Statement: Humiliate the Republicans

Al Qaeda has finally made an official statement of policy regarding the 2008 US elections, and it is a ringing “anti-endorsement” for the Republican Party. 

The ”anti-endorsement”, posted on the jihadist forums a week before the Election Day 2008, was included towards the end of the message. The message, from Al Qaeda leader (and Bagram prison escapee) Abu Yahya al Libi, was a Khutba or sermon delivered in honor of the Eid al Fitre holiday. 

Unlike 2004, when Bin Laden referenced both candidates by name, but refrained from actually endorsing either, Al Libi specifically calls for the wrath of Allah to be brought down upon the Republicans. 

The message is more of a “vote against” message calling for the party of Bush to be humiliated, rather than a “vote for” message promoting Obama and the Democrats: 

Oh Allah, Lord of mankind, humiliate Bush and his party! 

Oh, Allah, degrade and defy him! 

Oh Allah, Lord of mankind, defy him!

Oh Allah, make him live a day like the day Pharoah, Haman, and Qarun experienced, making him an example… 

Comments about the election have been few and far between on the jihadist forums and in message from Al Qaeda leadership this year. This is a sharp contrast to the 2004 election, when discussion about candidates Bush and Kerry began months in advance of Election Day, and culminated in an official As Sahab release of a video tape from Osama bin Laden. 

In a video released just 4 days before Election Day 2004, Bin Laden said: 

Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or Al-Qa’ida. 
Your security is in your own hands” 

At this point, it is not known whether or not Bin Laden will comment on the 2008 US Presidential Election. With just days to go before the election, we’ll know soon whether or not Bin Laden will make a 
statement. 

In the meantime, it appears obvious from Al Libi’s statement that Al Qaeda is not supporting the Republicans.

Scenarios after Olmert Resignation

I’ve been a bit swamped lately — off to Sudan in a few days to report on various issues, including some agricultural investments taking place in the country as of late.  It’s a really fascinating story that branches off in so many ways.  In the meantime, I will not bore you all with my personal opinions on the resignation of Ehud Olmert, Israel’s Prime Minister.  Reuters sent out this “scenario alert” the day Olmert resigned and I think it is pretty accurate.  As you will read, several scenarios ultimately result in a boost for Benyamin Netanyahu and the rightists, which will ultimately mean (more) bad news for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. – vms

July 30 (Reuters) – Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday he would resign as Israel’s prime minister after his ruling Kadima party chooses a new leader in an internal election in September, in which he will not run. 

The following are three scenarios for what might happen next in Israel’s shaken political system: 

* Israeli opinion polls show Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former defence chief, are favourites to win the Kadima party leadership contest. Either could forge a coalition similar to the current one. It would take office once sworn in by parliament in late October. Olmert would remain caretaker prime minister until then. 

* Some of Olmert’s bickering coalition partners may balk at joining a coalition with the more politically moderate Livni if she became Kadima leader. 

These parties could swing behind rightist parliamentary opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and force President Shimon Peres to ask Netanyahu to try to form a coalition. Such a government might be reluctant to pursue U.S.-backed peace talks with the Palestinians or indirect negotiations with Syria. 

* Olmert’s resignation could prompt a majority in parliament to opt for an early election. Parliament could dissolve itself and set an election date before the scheduled date of 2010. 

An election must be held within five months of the Knesset voting to dissolve itself, but the gap is usually shorter in practice. Recent opinion polls show Netanyahu’s Likud party would emerge strongest if a vote were held now. 

Such a scenario could leave Olmert as caretaker prime minister until a government is formed after the election

The Long, Flat, Seemingly Endless Bataan Death March To The White House Nearer to the End

In the words of the great Jon Stewart, The Long, Flat, Seemingly Endless Bataan Death March To The White House appears to be one step closer to completion.  (thank Gawwwwd — even watching it from the Middle East is exhausting, and I am significantly removed from the hype)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation’s first female president.

The former first lady was not ready to formally suspend or end her race in a speechTuesday night in New York City. But if Obama gets to the magic number of delegates, 2,118, she was prepared to acknowledge that milestone, according to aides who declined to be identified.

Obama effectively secured the magic number Tuesday, based on a tally of pledged delegates, superdelegates who have declared their preference, and another 15 superdelegates who have confirmed their intentions to The Associated Press.

It also included delegates Obama was guaranteed as long as he gained 30 percent of the vote in South Dakota and Montana later in the day.

On NBC’s “Today Show,” Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said that once Obama gets the majority of convention delegates, “I think Hillary Clinton will congratulate him and call him the nominee.”

She will pledge to continue to speak out on issues like health care. But for all intents and purposes, the two senior officials said, the campaign is over.

Most campaign staff will be let go and will be paid through June 15, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.

The advisers said Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters including a possible vice presidential nomination for her. She also wants to press him on issues he should focus on in the fall, such as health care.

Universal health care, Clinton’s signature issue as first lady in the 1990s, was a point of dispute between Obama and the New York senator during their epic nomination fight.

Clinton was at home in Chappaqua, N.Y., with her husband, former President Clintonand daughter Chelsea. She was placing calls to friends and supporters and working on a final draft of her speech. She was also resting her voice, which was nearly shot after days of nonstop campaigning.

In a formal statement, the campaign made clear the limits of how far she would go in Tuesday night’s speech. “Senator Clinton will not concede the nomination,” the statement said.

Clinton field hands who worked in key battlegrounds said they were told to stand down, without pay, and await instructions. Speaking not for attribution because they didn’t want to jeopardize their jobs searches, many said they were peddling resumes, returning to their hometowns or seeking out former employers.

Clinton officials have said they would not contest the seating of Michigan delegates at the convention in Denver this August. The campaign was angry this past weekend when a Democratic National Committee panel awarded Obama delegates it thought Clinton deserved.

Iranian Parliamentary Election Results!

Hi folks, a credible source in Tehran tells me that the estimated results of yesterday’s parliamentary elections are as follows: Conservatives/Fundamentalists 60%; Independents 25%; Reformists (Khatami and friends) 15%.   No big surprises, of course.  You heard it here first! 

 

Yes We Can…

I wrote an article a few days ago discussing America’s need for change and competence in leadership.  While it is not surprising to me that Barack Obama lost my state (Clinton’s adopted state), New York, I AM surprised that he lost by the margin that he did (57/40).  I stopped by Columbia University today and couldn’t walk 5 steps without running into an Obama supporter.  From the New York Times:

“In New York State, which Mrs. Clinton won 57 percent to 39 percent, Mr. Obama won just one county — Tompkins, home of Cornell. There had been speculation that he could win Brooklyn, and he came very close there — 48 percent, to Mrs. Clinton’s 50 percent.

That was the closest he came in the five boroughs. In Manhattan, she won with 54 percent, to Mr. Obama’s 44 percent.” 

Earlier today, I finally watched the “Yes We Can” video on YouTube (see below) which uses a Obama speech as the lyrics to a new song sung by a group of celebrities.  If you ask me, it’s an extraordinary product for inspiring Obama’s young constituents.  Check it out:

Then I watched Obama’s speech in Illinois this evening discussing his results in Super Tuesday.   Speaking to a crowd in his home state of Illinois, Obama told supporters:

“Our time has come.  Our movement is real and change is coming to America… This fall we owe the American people a real choice.”

I admit, his speech took on a very John F. Kennedy-esque/Martin Luther King tone.  It was…. dare I say…. inspiring.  That said, I recognize that inspiration does not a President make.  As I wrote in my article in the WashingtonPost.com’s PostGlobal section:

“This nation is ripe for a change for the better. However, we must not mistake a change in the gender, race or religion of the Commander-in-Chief as one that ensures a better, more secure future.”

That said, I DO believe Hillary Clinton represents more of the same.  The question is, can someone still a bit wet behind the ears on the national political stage provide the leadership needed in this increasingly complicated world to save this economy and boost America’s international image?  Time will tell.  The fact is, Hillary Clinton won the major states tonight – that is, California, New York and Massachusetts.  She is walking away with more delegates and while it wasn’t a “Super Duper Tuesday” for her, it certainly wasn’t too shabby.  Even if you’re not interested in politics, this horse race is exactly what is needed to reinvigorate an excitement in a politically fatigued nation.

Obama and Huckabee Win in Iowa Vote

and here we go………..

 

January 3, 2008

By JOHN M. BRODER and ADAM NAGOURNEY

Senator Barack Obama won the Iowa Democratic caucuses tonight in a stunning show of strength by a young African-American candidate who was virtually unknown to America three years ago. He defeated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady, and former Senator John Edwards, the Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2004 by a substantial margin.

On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee, the folksy former Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist preacher, defeated the vastly better funded and organized Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, riding a wave of support by evangelical Christians who said they were drawn to Mr. Huckabee because they believed he shared their values.

The Iowa caucuses drew intense public interest and record turnout on the Democratic side, which featured three compelling candidates waging a fierce campaign that turned on the question of change versus experience. Democratic caucusgoers strongly endorsed Mr. Obama’s vow to change the nature of politics in Washington, decisively preferring his case to Mrs. Clinton’s emphasis on her experience in public life as a senator and the spouse of a president and a governor.

Mr. Romney conceded early in the evening after falling more than 10 percentage points behind Mr. Huckabee. Mr. Romney, who outspent Mr. Huckabee by more than four to one, conceded in an interview on Fox News. “Congratulations on the first round to Mike,” he said. But he described Iowa as the first inning of a “50-inning ballgame” and vowed to stay in it until the end.

Mr. Romney sought to frame his defeat as something of a comeback, saying he had trailed Mr. Huckabee by more than 20 points a few weeks ago. “I’ve been pleased that I’ve been able to make up ground, and I intend to keep making up ground, not just here but across the country,” he said.

The crowd at Huckabee headquarters was ebullient as television news programs called the race. One man shouted “serves you right for the negative ads” as Mr. Romney conceded in an interview on Fox News, and applause went up again when newscasters talked about Mr. Huckabee’s success turning out his evangelical base. Mr. Huckabee is expected to board a chartered jet for New Hamphire at 11:30 this evening — something that is almost an extravagance for his bare-bones campaign.

In a caucus at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, a record 454 Democrats appeared. The enthusiastic crowd heavily favored Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Jon Muller, 42, the chief financial officer of an education nonprofit group, was one of the Obama backers.

“One of the charges against Iowa is that we don’t really represent the rest of the country,” he said, alluding to the fact that blacks form less than three percent of the caucus participants. “Here’s a chance to make a statement about the inclusiveness of Iowa.”

A sample of early arrivals at the Democratic caucus sites told interviewers that the war in Iraq was the most important issue facing the country, followed closely by the economy and health care. A slim majority of the sample of Democratic caucusgoers said that they were looking for a candidate who could bring about needed change, while only one in five cited experience as the most important factor in deciding whom to support.

Those who cited health care as the top issue tended to support Mrs. Clinton, who also attracted strong support from older voters and women.

Those who decided whom to support in the last three days tended to back former Mr. Edwards.

About a third of Republicans interviewed before they cast their votes cited illegal immigration as the most important issue facing the country, followed by the economy and terrorism. The Republican sample included nearly 60 percent who identified themselves as evangelical Christians, who expressed support for Mr. Huckabee by a two-to-one margin over Mr. Romney.

Those who make up their minds in the past three days tended to support Mr. Romney.

As the first state to express its presidential preferences, Iowa has gained outsized importance even though relatively small numbers of its citizens turn out for the caucuses, which on the Democratic side, in particular, are conducted under arcane rules that reflect intensity of devotion to a candidate as much as sheer numbers of supporters.

Candidates of both parties spent much of the final days of the race trying to minimize expectations. The race on the Democratic side featured three prominent candidates, Senators Obama of Illinois and Clinton and former senator Edwards of North Carolina, each of whom had hopes of winning and fears of coming in third.

As the costliest campaign in the three-decade history of the Iowa caucuses headed to an unpredictable finish, thousands of volunteers and campaign aides from across the country descended on neighborhoods and towns to coax voters to caucus gatherings. Politics dominated the radio and television airwaves, with advertisements back to back from morning until night.

The most sophisticated presidential campaigns that have ever been waged in Iowa — fully engaged for much of the year — ended in a flurry of old-fashioned get-out-the-vote efforts. The Clinton campaign, for example, has enlisted 5,000 drivers to ferry voters to the caucuses, particularly elderly women, who form a critical well of support.

In the end, after a year of political speeches and nearly $35 million in Iowa television advertising, the most important work in the hours before the caucuses was taking place far away from the candidates. Campaigns established telephone hotlines designed to direct voters to their specific precincts.

The results in the Democratic caucuses do not reflect the actual percentage of people who expressed a preference for a particular candidate. Rather, they are the percentage of delegates allocated to each of the candidates based on a complex formula; the Democratic Party does not release the actual number of Democrats who caucus for each candidate.

The Republican results reflect a direct count of the preferences expressed by those who participated in the Republican caucuses.

Mirroring the unusual rush of the nominating calendar — the primary in New Hampshire is a mere five days away — the major candidates planned to pick up as soon as the caucus results were known and flew to New Hampshire to be on the ground for early morning rallies, television appearances and campaign stops. Mrs. Clinton’s campaign plane was scheduled to leave Iowa at midnight.

The one exception was Mr. Giuliani, who largely skipped the Iowa caucuses; he spent the day in Florida — the state where he has chosen to make his stand — and was heading to New Hampshire.

Reporting was contributed by Julie Bosman in Fort Madison, Cate Doty in Waterloo, Patrick Healy in Cedar Rapids, David D. Kirkpatrick in Fort Dodge, Michael Luo in Bettendorf, and Marc Santora in Derry, N.H.

Egypt Eases Mubarak Son’s Ascent

When I was covering the Egyptian elections in 2005, Gamal Mubarak was certainly on the frontlines of his father’s campaign.  He would generally arrive before the President at campaign events to iron out any kinks.  On one occassion, I asked Gamal to speak to me on record – before I knew it, two members of Hosni Mubarak’s campaign (whom I knew well) were dragging me away, telling me it is “inappropriate” to talk to the son.  It saddened me as we had worked so closely throughout the campaign and Gamal, if anything, gave me the impression that he is quite approachable.  In the end, it seemed that the trend of leaders far removed from their constituency will be an on-going trend in Egypt.  If you’re interested in reading my detailed account on covering the Mubarak campaign, click here. 

Meantime, check out the story below written by my pal Nadia Abou el-Magd.

By NADIA ABOU EL-MAGD – 16 hours ago

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Egypt’s ruling party appointed President Hosni Mubarak’s son to an important new committee Saturday in a move seen as further paving the way for the younger Mubarak to succeed his father.

Gamal Mubarak has risen dramatically in the ranks of the party since the National Democratic Party’s last convention in 2002 and is now number two in the party and head of the powerful policy making committee.

Three years ago, there were angry protests against his succession. Recently, demonstrations have waned, but talk of succession picked up over the summer following rumors that Mubarak was ill.

Traditionally, the presidential candidate had to be head of the party’s political bureau. But in the spring, the constitution was changed to require only that the candidate be chosen from the members of a new structure called the Supreme Committee.

Saturday’s measure, passed during the opening day of the party’s general convention, elected Gamal to that committee, which has 50 members. The move is seen as a more discreet way of setting him up as a presidential candidate than appointing him to the party’s political bureau.

Analysts say the move provides the with constitutional cover to elevate Mubarak to power, a subtle way to counter the growing challenge by the opposition.

Both father and son have denied the succession rumors. But many doubt those denials and point to a recent crackdown against the media as intimidation of potential critics of the transition.

Mubarak and his ruling party struck back — sending a prominent independent newspaper chief to trial over articles he ran questioning Mubarak’s health. The move was the latest in a string of trials of journalists that appears aimed at intimidating those who could oppose a transfer of power to Gamal.

Mubarak, who has led Egypt since 1981, was re-elected as the leader of the NDP during the opening session of Saturday’s convention.

The 79-year-old president said employment, investment and national security would top the agenda during his ruling party’s convention, but carefully avoided any talk of succession.

Even if party members avoid the sensitive succession topic, discussion of Egypt’s economy could prove controversial.

While the World Bank ranked Egypt as the world’s most improved economy for investors this year, and the country has seen an average growth rate of 7 percent over the last three years, the poor increasingly feel squeezed out. Their frustration could pose an even greater threat to stability than the government’s traditional political rivals such as the Muslim Brotherhood.

In recent months, government has been trying to rein in the largest spate of labor unrest the country has seen in decades. About a month ago, the government rushed to resolve a strike of 27,000 workers at a factory in the Nile Delta.