You Discover Who Your Friends Are...
...in times of crisis. I'm not surprised, but Germany and France are again refusing to help the people of Iraq, this time with financial means. Now, though, Iraqis have a voice:
"As far as Germany and France are concerned, really, this was a regrettable position they had," [Ayad] Allawi, [current head of Iraq's U.S.-appointed governing council] said. "I don't think the Iraqis are going to forget easily that in the hour of need, those countries wanted to neglect Iraq."
In the same vein, Arab nations (save Kuwait) are also
refusing to help. Again, no surprise, as they have a vested interest in seeing democracy fail - that way they don't have to undergo the same transformations in their own countries. But let's hear it for Kuwait, huh? So far they've offered US$1.5 billion, and this after being previously
invaded by Iraq! Guess they like the new leadership.
With all these countries saying 'no,' who
is helping?
Those who know what oppression and democratic growing pains are like. Along with the US, these poor, ex-communist countries are on the forefront of Iraqi aid. It warms my heart to see this, and makes me deeply upset with
those who have more to spare but
aren't giving.
Solidaridad
