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Because the U.S. is extremely unpopular
among Arabs throughout the Middle East, if Iraqis actually were allowed
to vote freely, they could hardly be expected to elect pro-U.S.
candidates. That's why the U.S. adamantly resisted holding popular
elections in occupied Iraq, instead proposing that members of a new
governing assembly be selected by handpicked "caucuses."
"In a post-war situation like this, if you start holding elections, the
people who are rejectionists tend to win." -- Paul Bremer, head of the
Coalition Provisional Authority, June 2003. [89]
By "rejectionists" Bremer meant those who oppose U.S. occupation.
100,000 Iraqis march to demand popular elections, Baghdad, January 19,
2004.
The U.S. occupation authority in Iraq was hardly a model of democratic
government. Newspapers and radio and television stations that criticized
the authority were shut down.
They displayed a blatant lack of appreciation for their liberators!
Tens of thousands of Iraqis disappeared into prisons run by the U.S.
military. Prisoners were held without charge and were subjected to
humiliation, sexual abuse, and torture [90]
"Now all Iraqis can taste liberty in their native land!" -- U.S.
Attorney General John Ashcroft after he sent a team to rebuilt Iraq's
system of courts and prisons in 2003 [91]
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