Region | Iraq
Iraqis say they like Obama
US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is popular among Iraqis, according to interviews carried out across the country.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:05 July 21, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Obama with US military service members at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait in a photo released by the US Army on Saturday.
Baghdad: US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is popular among Iraqis.
In two dozen interviews across the country, many said a black man would understand their plight.
Obama is currently in Afghanistan. He is expected to travel on to Iraq and later to Jordan, Israel and Europe. Obama wants to bolster his foreign policy credentials and counter accusations from Republican presidential rival John McCain that he has not seen conditions in Iraq for himself.
"I support Obama. I think he is the best for Iraq and for the world ... if McCain wins I will be devastated," said Mustafa Salah, an office worker in the southern city of Basra.
Hesham Fadhil, a doctor in northern Kirkuk added: "He is much better than others because he is black and black people were tyrannised in America. I think he will feel our suffering."
Obama is the son of a white mother and a black Kenyan father. He refers to himself as black and often talks of his multi-cultural background.
Ordinary Iraqis are unlikely to get a glimpse of Obama, who will spend most of his time in the heavily fortified Green Zone government and diplomatic compound during his trip to Baghdad.
Unrealistic
While violence is at a four-year low and some efforts have been made toward national reconciliation, the threat of car bomb attacks and kidnapping has not disappeared.
Indeed, Iraqis are divided over Obama's plan to withdraw US combat troops within 16 months if he wins office. Some say the policy is overdue while others are opposed because they feel Iraq's security forces are not ready.
"What Obama said about pulling out US forces is just for political gains. It is unrealistic," said Munadhil Al Mayyahi, an independent politician in Basra.
Kamiran Mohammad, from Kirkuk, said he visited the United States recently as part of a polling watchdog to study elections. Obama would be good for Iraq, not McCain, he said.
"When I was in the United States I found Democrats are more peaceful and avoid wars," Mohammad said. Obama made his opposition to the US-led invasion five years ago a centrepiece of his election campaign.
McCain supported President George W. Bush's decision to go to war, and also his troop "surge" last year, which helped pull Iraq back from the brink of sectarian civil war.
"The face of America was spoilt by the Republicans and Bush. A McCain win means Bush stays," said Zainab Riyad, a teacher.
Questions about Obama's heritage - he is a Protestant Christian but his Kenyan father was raised a Muslim - and whether this background would lead to better US policy in the Middle East drew a cynical response from most Iraqis.
Obama's campaign has sought to dispel rumours he is Muslim. "Frankly, Muslims in our society have not done anything for us," said Mohammad Sadeq, who owns a mobile telephone store in Baghdad. Another Iraqi pointed to wars between fellow Muslims.
Others were dismissive of the US presidential election in general, more concerned with the struggle of daily life in Iraq.
"For the moment I'm thinking about getting enough electricity. I do not believe either candidate will change the situation in Iraq," said Abdul Mahdi Hadi, a Basra teacher.
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