Post Bush Iraq - What is the Solution?

Iraq has consumed President Bush, two of his terms having been dedicated to this noble 'cause'. The son has endeared himself to the father by revenging the humiliation brought on the father, the senior Bush, by a rogue leader Saddam Hussein. In the process, the world has become less safe to live, the price rise in oil as also of all the commodities has made the poor in the world much poorer, the suspicions among the countries and religions have grown much bigger and deeper and the peace in the world has become very fragile. A solution does not seem to be imminent with no credible local leadership in sight. What happens once President Bush leaves presidency and the leader who step in is in a hurry get out of Iraq leaving the country in a mess? It will be anarchy for ages to come. With the UN having lost its credibility, there is need for a new mechanism to be in place to stop the bloodshed. It's no mean task. The solution lies in finding groups of honest people and countries that can provide alternative leadership until power is transferred to the locals in an orderly way.

First is selection of leaders that are trusted by the world. Unfortunately, because of their role in the mess, US and British leaders will be unacceptable to Iraqis; of course, except those who are opposed to the war itself in the first place. Others to look are those from developing countries that have sound democratic systems in place. One country to look at is India. India has historical links with Iraq. Iraqis thrust food down the guts of visiting Indians and refuse to accept any charges showing respect and admiration for the country. India has good democratic traditions with a very powerful Election Commission.

Almost all political parties have tasted defeat in the past two decades proving that no party can take elections for granted to stay in power. There are good constitutional mechanisms in place. The judiciary, election commission, legislature and the media are very equally powerful (in fact, the latter has been most aggressive in safeguarding the people's interests of late). Most powerful politicians have been shown the door. There is strong private enterprise, equally strong public sector, large education and healthcare base (despite depressing stories) (the city of Bangalore alone has nearly 100 engineering colleges, 30-40 medical and dental colleges, and innumerable other education establishments), and multi-religious society (India is the only country in the world that has not persecuted a Jew in its history, and sheltered Parsis (Zorastrians) driven out from Iran over hundreds of years ago who now consider themselves Indians) and one that has never gone to war for 1000 years (unless aggression was thrust on it-remember the recent Kargil war with Pakistan when India chose not to cross the border despite the fact it could do so and inflict misery on the enemy).

Among the richest in the country are Tatas (the Parsis), the noblest and the most humane industrial group that gives away bulk of its wealth to the public good, and Azim Premji (Muslim) of WIPRO that shows that the country did not discriminate against its minorities. Several Muslims (Zakir Hussain, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed, Abdul Kalam), a Sikh (Zail Singh) have been made presidents of the country, which in reality they could not have won on their own numerical strength. A woman is now likely to become the president of the country. The present Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is a Sikh, a numerically smaller group, and one who does not have any political base. Christians, another numerically miniscule group, had a chief minister in A. K. Anthony and one of the most powerful states, Andhra Pradesh, now has one in Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. India is among the fewest countries in the world where socially oppressed people and minorities have been given priority in many facilities and governmental benefits.

The role India is playing in the current economic and social development of Afghanistan, when others chose to bomb the country, is an example of its non-interference nature in the internal affairs of the countries it chooses to help! (Afghans seem to pamper the Indians the way Iraqis do!) A couple of years ago, when tsunami hit several countries in Asia, including India, it chose to ship assistance to other countries, while at the same time tending to its own populace affected by it. The tolerance level of an Indian is among the highest anywhere in the world! It has something to do with its spiritual yearning.

The world would do well to realize that what Iraq needs is a soothing balm, one that takes away the pain and hurt from it! There is hardly anyone who has not been wounded, either physically or emotionally, there! No amount of assurance will help the people. They need a credible leader (alas there is none there right now) or a system in that country that is acceptable to all! By virtue of its wonderful experience in dealing with poverty, divergent religious groups, socially deprived classes, mixed economy, and the quality of its institutions, India fits the bill to fill the vacuum in this area. A respected Indian leader (joker Laloo???) can oversee the interim government (acceptable to all Iraqis) post-Bush and aided by global intellectuals and economists that will turn around the country in double-quick time! The world should prioritize the developmental steps needed in Iraq (say creation of constitution, education, agriculture, women's emancipation, economy, industrialization, etc.) and provide trillions of dollars support (more particularly the US and its allies which have caused all the damage) until the local people are ready to take over the reins of governance in that country! No other solution seems to be in sight! Any other effort will be a waste as there will be suspicision in the minds of Iraqis if the aggressors themselves turn rulers too!

Mercifully, one of India's best brains, the present president of India, Dr Abdul Kalam, who turned the fortified the Rshtrapathi Bhavan, the presidential palace, as peoples' building, will be relinquishing office this month (what a pity India cannot continue him in the job!) and should be requested by the world leaders to shoulder the onerous responsibility of guiding (not the missiles of which he is an expert) the turbulent Iraq into a saner land. That will be a great tribute to a great human being at the same someone who can instill confidence and trust in the minds of the people of Iraq. He being a Muslim (who does not discriminate anyone in any case) will certainly help the matters!