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Panel Discussion on Afghanistan and Iraq
PIFRAS hosted a panel discussion on Prospects for Democratic Governance in Afghanistan and Iraq. The event was supported by the office
of Sen. Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas. The event was well attended by Congressional staff and representatives of other Government agencies and officials from over a dozen embassies. The key issues addressed
included:
(A) What are the immediate responsibilities of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan in establishing a
truly pluralist, secular, modern democratic government,
(B) What are the possible consequences if we fail in our responsibility,
(C) Lessons learned from post-Taliban Afghanistan and what
should be avoided in Iraq,
(D) Suggestions to help build institutions of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq.
PIFRAS Executive Director John Prabhudoss moderated the discussion.
Dr. Michael Hudson
of Georgetown University spoke first about the history of the region and explored the question of how to build Iraq and its government. He dealt with current practical issues as well as with past troubles in the
region which had to be taken into consideration while devising any plan for Iraq. Prof. Hudson emphasized that 'while most Iraqis may like the message of democracy they may not like the messenger'.
Dr. Michael Hudson Speaking to the audience
After World War II, Iraq had some functioning elements of a democratic society, including political parties, social structures and professional networks. However Saddam Hussein’s one party regime broke down
much of that sense of political participation, Dr Hudson said. The independent social structures that survived were religious and kinship based which is why many people were coalescing around Muslim clerics
in the aftermath of the fall of Baghdad.
Ms. Hali Jilani, a member of the Board of Advisors of PIFRAS speaking from Iraq via satellite phone provided
an update on the local situation. Ms Jilani was meeting local leaders in Iraq and discussing with them
PIFRAS’s "Art of Governance Program". She had specific recommendations as to what the United States must do in Iraq in regard to education and training needs as part of the reconstruction work. She
mentioned that the US Coalition Authority was already working with a range of community and civic leaders besides expatriate Iraqi leaders who are back in Iraq. The Iraqi leadership finally selected would
need to be moderate and secular.
A section of the Audience during the Panel Discussion
Dr. Bruce Robertson, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and also a member of the Board of Advisors at the PIFRAS spoke specifically about the Art of Governance Program. He laid out the main
objectives of the program and the approach to be followed in implementing it. He argued that functioning democracy could not easily be expected from a nation, which has no experience or knowledge of the
virtues and fundamentals of the principles of a democracy. This type of program would give participants the opportunity to see a real working democracy, meet everyday Americans, experience a free market
economy and practice religious freedom.
During the Q&A session a key issue discussed was the possibility of training a cross section of the Mullahs
of Iraq to serve as trainers for civic and political leaders.
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