2003-11-25

Pastor Paul Bremer Replaces Saddam Hussein

The American dictator who replaced the Iraqi dictator is talking like a preacher.

Recently, Paul Bremer put out this gem of a speech on Iraqi TV. It can put to shame any propaganda nonsense produced by the former Soviet Union or the present China or North Korea.

I am Paul Bremer, Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority. As we approach Ramadan, the month of forgiveness and mercy, I encourage those of you old enough to do so to recall Ramadan before Saddam. Recall the special character of what was a peaceful month during which family ties were reaffirmed. Then look forward to the Ramadan not far in the future when a free and sovereign Iraq enjoys internal tranquility and peace with all its neighbors… you must not lose hope. Especially during Ramadan you must not lose hope. You must not lose hope because you have seen the evil one go. You, the Iraqi people, whom the evil one was bound to protect, he instead tortured, he instead murdered. You, the Iraqi people, whom the evil one was bound to feed, he instead starved. You, the Iraqi people whom the evil one was bound to lead in peace, he instead led into foolish wars, wars which poured your blood into the sand. When the people of the world asked the evil one to stop he sneered. When the people of the world demanded that the evil one stop, he threatened them and fought them. And when the evil one fought them…Today the evil one evades those who pursue — but not because he believes he can return. He evades, he hides, he runs because he fears your justice, justice in a court you are devising for him and his fellow evil-doers…

Read the transcript of the latest Bremer weekly address at the Coalition Provisional Authority website. The site also has some phoney opinion polls. These polls have as much legitmacy as the “yes-or-no” elections that Saddam Hussein used to conduct, where he won 99% of the votes.

Before the US placed it under sanctions, Iraq was a very rich country like other oil-rich Gulf countries. Iraqis enjoyed a high standard of living and had a better social life. With religious fundamentalism totally eliminated, Iraqis had personal liberties that were not possible in other Arab countries. People could watch popular American soaps on TV. Cinemas showed the latest Hollywood movies. Women could wear Western clothes and appear in public with their male friends.

Even under the sanctions regime, Saddam ensured that his people did not go hungry. An efficient food rationing regime saw to that. Law & order was maintained. After the first Gulf war, Saddam’s government quickly rebuilt buildings, roads, bridges, power stations, and other installations that were destroyed under allied bombing.

Compare that with the situation now. Iraqis are without food, water, sanitation, medicines, electricity, jobs, law & order. Every day, coalition forces shoot people in the streets. Yet, Paul Bremer and George W. Bush are not tired of saying the remarkable progress Iraq has made since the fall of Saddam. On 23rd October 2003, George Bush was accidentally truthful when he said

The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the – the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice.