Can U.S.-Iraqi Trust Be Repaired?
May 23, 2004 -- The Abu Ghraib prison atrocities are exacerbating an already dangerous situation in Iraq.
Morally and politically, the damage and fallout of the abuse crisis are considerable.
One of the major repercussions is Iraqis' further loss of trust of the American-led occupation. More and more Iraqis say they have little confidence and faith in the willingness of the United States to assist them in resolving their country's complex problems establishing an authentic government that reflects their hopes and culture. Reports from Iraq show more Iraqis now view the U.S.-led occupation as part of the problem, not the solution.
Before the revelation of the abuses of Iraqi prisoners, a USA Today/CNN poll conducted throughout Iraq found that 57 percent of Iraqis said that American and British troops should leave Iraq immediately, even though 53 percent said that they would feel less safe. In contrast, a few months ago a majority of Iraqis said they wanted American and British troops to remain in the country until the transfer of sovereignty.
Also alarming is that 71 percent of Iraqis said they now view the coalition forces as "occupiers," not "liberators," compared with 43 percent immediately after the invasion. A majority of Iraqis also said they trust the United Nations more than the United States to act as an impartial broker and to assist them in forming a representative government.
Therefore, the alleged abuses of Iraqi prisoners could not have come at a worse time for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. They have poured fuel on an already raging fire in Iraq and the Arab arena.
Deep Anger and Boiling Rage
In my conversations with Iraqis and Arabs, I sensed deep anger and boiling rage. Their response to the prisoner scandal ranged from shock to resignation. But unlike their American counterparts, many Iraqis do not seem to be surprised that their countrymen were abused by American soldiers.
The revelations reinforced their perceptions that Americans have little respect for their culture or dignity and often use disproportionate force to crush their will. In this sense, the scandal has widened the cultural gulf between Iraqis and U.S. troops and complicated further America's efforts to transfer "limited sovereignty" to Iraqis and tighten its hold on Iraq's future.
Field reports also paint gloomy portraits of Iraqis' darkening mood, which does not portend well for the American-led occupation. Deteriorating security, widespread unemployment (more than 50 percent), and rising civilian casualties have driven more Iraqis to join the armed insurgency. According to American military commanders, fewer and fewer Iraqis are supplying coalition forces with intelligence about insurgents.
As more Iraqis get estranged from the American-led occupation, the United States finds itself locked in a two-front (Sunni and Shiite) costly urban guerrilla war with no end in sight.
It is not fully clear yet if the escalation of violence has more to do with the approaching deadline for the transfer of power to Iraqis or with a genuine nationalist uprising. But Bush administration officials continue to underestimate the gravity of the Sunni and Shiite uprising and the widening and deepening of dissatisfaction among Iraqis.
Prisoner Scandal
Recent reports from various Iraqi cities show a restive population fed up with the status quo. If not handled correctly, the crisis over Iraqi prisoners could push many neutral Iraqis to the opposition camp.
Militants of all political persuasions, inside and outside Iraq, are already using and abusing the scandal to fan anti-Americanism and to call for revenge. Iraq appears to have become a recruiting tool, if not a recruiting ground yet, for al Qaeda and those opposed to American policies in the region.
Related Stories
ABC News Live