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The Shiites, who comprise the majority of Iraqis, were supposed to be grateful.They were killed by the thousands during their failed uprising in 1991 against Saddam Hussein. With Hussein gone, these people have a chance, with U.S. guidance, of gaining political power that represents the majority they hold.
So why have they joined the ranks of terrorists and opponents who want to kill coalition soldiers?
Why are we, representatives of Democracy, closing their newspapers? Why are American helicopter gunships, the good guys, the peacekeepers, firing on the holy city of Najaf? Why do coalition soldiers and Shiites continue to be killed?
Maybe it's because we're frightened of what will happen if Democracy is unleashed in Iraq. Maybe the Shiites sense we won't leave because we're a little nervous about them. After all, they could use free elections to implement a theocratic government, shadows of Iran, that won't necessarily follow our ideas of what it means to be a free-trading, economically-friendly, people-oriented country.
We may export American-style Democracy, a neat little package of New England town meetings, peaceful protesters and ivy tower debates over someone's civil rights to Iraq, but that won't be what takes hold there. When we bring Democracy overseas, it can be messy and violent, and it often clashes with the existing culture and mindset of that nation.
The Democracy that may one day come to Iraq will be molded on their traditions, their beliefs. It may little resemble what we believe a Democracy should be. And maybe that's what scares us most. Once we let the majority of Iraq rule itself, we lose control.
Right now, violence is rife in Iraq, brought on mostly by radical groups and leaders who do not speak for most of the Shiites, creating civil unrest and anti-coalition feelings as a way to further their own agendas.
If we want to end the power of the radicals, if we really want to bring Democracy to Iraq, then we must give the majority of Iraqis the room they need to create a government of its people. That will mean sacrifice for us. We will lose control. We will have to trust that most of the Shiites want a peaceful transition, representation and protection for its people, and an equal partnership with the United States. Like any good Democracy.
