In Iraq, inspiration and doubt follow inauguration
Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:30 PM
Filed Under:
Baghdad, Iraq
By NBC News’ Karim Hilmi
BAGHDAD – Inspirational words like "change" and "hope," in President Barack Obama's inaugural speech found a receptive audience in Iraq. Many hope that he will be faithful to his promises and that he will be able to fix the problems created by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
"I think Obama is going to be a better president than Bush. His foreign policy will depend on using dialogue and diplomacy to solve the world's major and sensitive issues,'' said Daood Hashim, a journalism professor in his mid-50s. "Obama said many times during his presidential campaign and inauguration speech that he is going to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear activities thru dialogue – and that is the ideal way to solve problems."
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| Ahmad Al-rubaye / AFP - Getty Images |
| An Iraqi boy follows the Arabic tradition of giving sweets on a happy occasion as others watch the U.S. inauguration ceremony on live TV at a cafe in Baghdad's Sadr City on Jan. 20. |
Likewise, S'adee Yassen said he appreciates Obama's ideas, as opposed to what he saw as Bush’s bellicose way of dealing with things. "In my opinion, Obama is going to be a peacemaker, whereas Bush was like a Roman warrior occupied all the time with attacking and invading other nations," he said.
A 39-year-old government official, Yassen said he hopes that Obama will create change in Iraq by rebuilding the country. He also believes that the "responsible withdrawal of American forces" would stop giving armed groups excuses to continue their attacks.
Diana Obaidi, 24, was inspired by the inauguration. She said that she wishes that democracy will eventually prevail in Iraq after so many decades of dictatorships. "The thing I liked most in the inauguration is the civilized and peaceful power handover. I hope all the heads of Arab states take this as an example."
‘American policy is the same no matter what’
However, for some Iraqis, the United States’ stalwart support of Israel, which has antagonized the Arab world, has skewed the opinions of others who believe that Obama will be no different.
Ehab Sameer, a 22-year-old college student, is convinced that Obama won’t stray from the policies of his predecessors. "I don't think inaugurating Obama as the new U.S. president offers any change or hope for the Middle East people, because the American policy is the same no matter what." He saw just one good development: "The only change is that Obama is black and that's good."
Rasool Shibib, a 43-year-old cafeteria owner, is pessimistic concerning U.S.-Arab policies and shares Sameer’s view. "There will be a change in Obama's strategy towards the world, but his strategy towards Arabs and Muslims will be similar to that of Bush as long as there is the Jewish lobby in the American administration."
