| From Teheran Times. Full-bodied, old-style propaganda in the classic mold. Warning: Take with salt. May impair motor skills, induce drowsiness, or cause cramping. Do not take with chili. |
Former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi is a dangerous, mysterious figure who is currently trying to play a significant role in the Iraqi political scene, which seriously threatens the future of the country. The fact that Allawi was the only Iraqi official to attend a recent military parade inspection ceremony indicates that he intends to play an ambiguous military role in Iraq.After the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, Allawi, who was once an Iraqi officer close to Saddam and a prominent member of the now disbanded Baath Party, tried to isolate all of the popular Iraqi political figures, with the help of the United States and certain regional Arab countries.
And now, regional Arab countries’ satellite networks are trying to portray Allawi as a national hero and savior. Concurrently with all these measures, at meetings with leaders of some regional Arab countries during a recent trip, Allawi discussed a plan, according to which he would lead a coup in Iraq after reestablishing the Iraqi army and reorganizing the scattered forces of the Baath Party.The regional Arab countries, the United States, and some other Western countries believe that, at this point in time, only a military dictator can extricate Iraq from the current crisis and that Allawi is the man for the job. This plan is being considered because the United States and certain Arab countries fear a Shia victory in Iraq’s December 15 parliamentary election will lead to the formation of a Shia Crescent in the region. Allawi is being strongly supported by both the U.S. and the Arab world, and it is predicted that if his party fails to gain a majority of parliamentary seats, he will probably be asked to lead a military coup.
Yet, despite the fact that Iraq is experiencing difficult days in the run-up to the election, all its political groups are determined to play a significant role in the political life of the country. But will Iyad Allawi and his Arab allies be able to reestablish Arab nationalism in Iraq? Definitely not! The Kurds and Shia Arabs, who form the majority of the Iraqi nation, are carefully following political developments in their country and will forcefully respond to any measures meant to disrupt the democratic process.