Poll Draws Mixed Reaction in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Fauzia Al-Bakr, a professor at King Saud University (KSU), welcomed the elections saying: “The poll is a positive move, but the Arabs have been largely dissatisfied with the whole exercise because of violence, the continued occupation and sectarian reasons.” Al-Bakr said some Sunni groups had boycotted the election, saying it cannot be free and fair because of the US military presence and daily bloodshed in the Sunni heartlands of the war-torn country.

Mohammed Abdullah Al-Homaidi, a local journalist, expressed concern about post-election Iraq. He welcomed the initiative to hold elections, but said that the continued American presence was being strongly resisted by Iraqis.

Abdulrahman Al-Hussaini, a businessman, said that “a substantial change in the US policy alone can restore peace in the region, not the elections in Iraq.”

He said the Abu Ghraib scandal coupled with the airstrikes on Fallujah had lost America the support of its natural Arab allies in pushing for democracy.

He said “it looks uncertain that democracy will take roots in Iraq following the election.”

The election was also criticized by other Arab expatriates. A Jordanian executive, Naeem Nayef Ezhgool, said “the election held under US occupation can only produce a government similar to the US-backed interim government.” Ezhgool said “the stage-managed election shows the imperialist attitude of the Bush administration.”

In Jeddah, Saudis and Arab expatriates welcomed the Iraqi election, describing the 60percent voter turnout as a success for the democratic process. They felt that the fact that Iraqis turned out in force defying terrorist threats showed that they were keen on a new democratic deal.

“This will usher in a new era, as Iraqis are deciding on their own future in defiance of insurgents,” said Waleed Al-Ghamdi, a Saudi businessman and member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “Once a democratically elected government assumes office and chalks out a program of rehabilitation and development, the entire Arab world can benefit from the implementation of various projects.”

“It’s something good that has happened to Iraq and its people and hopefully will bring peace to the region,” said Waleed Karanouh, a Lebanese PR and media consultant. “After, all Iraq is part of the Arab world and whatever happens in that country has its ramifications in other parts of the region.”

“Surely, the post-Saddam era will be welcomed by all Iraqis in particular and the region in general, as they will have an opportunity to shape their own destiny,” Hilmi Ates, a Turkish furniture showroom manager said. “Whatever the result, it will be just the start of a long way toward achieving stability in the midst of violence that will continue for the foreseeable future.”

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