Are you sitting comfortably?
Penguin Island doesn’t usually like to talk about Iraq, it's too depressing. But at least three news pieces, which don’t involve the word bomb or body numbers, warrant a comment. It’s not positive however.
The Red Cross report life is getting so bad for Baghdadis that they no longer aspire for simple things such as water anymore. People aim a lot lower; just wishing the bodies are cleared away (source).
In London, Oxfam tells us the foreign policy disaster in Iraq means the UK has lost diplomatic influence restricting our ability to do good elsewhere (source). Barbara Stocking sums this up neatly, by informing us that Lebanese citizens hold Britain responsible, in part, for the Israeli attacks last year (source) - because we didn't have enough clout to stop the IDF's bombs.
In Baghdad, the US is thinking of dividing the city into sections. "It didn’t work in Vietnam so why should it work here?" The papers say. Well apparently it has already succeeded in Iraq’s Tal Afar. Hmmm not a great example as the city has now slipped back into the insurgent’s hands (source).
And in Washington plans to appoint an apocalypticly sounding War Czar (source) to look over Iraq and Afghanistan are seriously being considered.
Can it get any worse than this?
Time for a donation, Penguin Island thinks.
4 comments:
Oxfam are probably right when they say that that Iraq has reduced the likelihood of future British interventions. But their own foreign policy prescription is pathetic.
Last week it was the Iranians; now the government's letting itself get beaten up by our own NGOs!
Elliot thanks for you comment. Indeed Oxfam's report is written in their usual toothless style. If anything however this is not an attempt at Government bashing but more of mild mannered criticism - think tank style - to keep their members happy. Maintaining a ring of truth to those accusations (from other NGOs) that they are more government than non-government. And that as an organisation their sole aim is maintain political favour in order to monopolise global aid distribution channels.
You suggest a donation to UNICEF as something tangible that can be done. Further to Elliot's comment and your response, I am interested in hearing your views on other NGOs effectiveness re the Iraq situation. UNICEF aside, who do you think is doing a good job and why? I am also interested in your views on the idea of complicity. Anna Politkovskaya, when asked why she persisted in covering issues that the majority of the Russian population actively chose to ignore, stated that it was because we are contemporaries of the horrors that are occurring in our world and will be judged by history. What are your views on this? Most of us find Iraq depressing, some act, others ignore. What are your thoughts on the political conscience of your peers and generation?
Great blog by the by
Phillipa
Phillipa thanks for your comment. NGOs operating in Iraq are few and far between, due to the level of violence and accusations (as you have pointed out) that the coalition armies are compromising their neutrality.
Without perfect information of who is working on the ground PI is unsure who is doing a "good job". Though PI suspects established NGOs could still be there, running clandestine programmes through subsidiary offices.
As a recommendation PI would rather promote multilateral organisations (however ineffectual, ie the UN) or Iraqi NGOs - though their genuine aims are difficult to establish.
Anna Politkovskaya, RIP, was right that we’ll be judged by history. But as important, is the judgement we place upon ourselves. Are we really conscious of the consequences of our actions? Could we do more to limit the harm we cause? No and Yes.
The run up to the war impressively politicised PI’s generation and peers. We must not dismiss lightly - or worse still as pointless - the demonstrations and marches. New Labour - although still in power - have been defined by its decision and our opposition. No future government will be in a hurry to make the same mistake twice. Scant consolation for the Iraqis, PI admits.
Now we must reflect, change and move on. Patch up Iraq and our relations with Islam as best we can, dismiss our MPs who voted for the war and make sure, for God’s sake it doesn’t happen again.
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