Arab Perspective: Clouds of suspicion hang over Iraq and Kanaan

This week, two stories dominated the Arabic press: Iraq's referendum vote and Syrian Interior Minister Gazi Kanaan's suicide. A review on what was said

According to Al Bayan (UAE), the referendum "is a big step that is supposed to take Iraq to a new period in a history filled with difficult phases".

The paper states that The Independent, a UK newspaper, got it right when it declared the referendum vote to be both a happy and sad occasion.

It is positive because it provides Iraqis with something they have been deprived of their whole lives: freedom of expression.

But it is a sad occasion because this vote is taking place amidst chaos and bloody violence.

The editorial stresses that even though Iraq is sectarian and multi-ethnic, the interests of one sect shouldn't dominate what's in the interests of a nation as a whole.

Moreover, "Iraq should remain a single entity and an intrinsic part of the Arab Ummah".

The paper cautions the various sections of Iraq to realise that a united Iraq will remain the strongest and most able to come out of its current ordeal.

Al Ahram (Egypt) views the current situation with a brief look at history.

Its editorial states, despite the fact that human experiences have shown democracies can't be imposed by outsiders through an invasion, this did not stop the regional and international anticipation for what the United States will do to Iraq even after it "ruins the country and divides it along ethnic lines".

The paper says: "After the vote, Condoleezza Rice quickly said there were indications that the constitution will be approved and this is an un-democratic act."

In all cases, the paper states that the respect of Iraqi people's wishes requires a high level of impartiality in this referendum.

If it passes, it will provide the basis for Iraq's political system. If it doesn't, all Iraqis should work on a more satisfactory version of a constitution.

The paper argues that this would be done better after the forces of occupation leave and the UN replaces it (in an acceptable international way). Only then will Iraq regain its full independence.

America's handling of the war in Iraq is criticised further by Abdul Bari Atwan of Al Quds Al Arabi (London).

He contends American strategy is based on busying the Iraqi people with a series of episodes of endless elections and referendums.

First, there were the January elections to choose members of the parliament and then came the referendum on Saturday.

And after two months, Iraqis will head to polls one more time to vote on a new parliament. Atwan says: "That is three elections in less than one year, which does not happen in the most established democracies."

America's goal according to Atwan is to show the world (and Iraqis in particular) that democracy is slowly coming through in Iraq. It is hoped by the Americans that this would distract from the horrible reality on the ground.

This has already started to work since many media outlets are currently talking about the "miracle of the constitution" and the drastic change that has occurred with its detractors.

Atwan concludes the US political operation in Iraq is indeed moving forward, but towards "disaster". Their tactics will not plant a real democracy but instead will leave divisions, violence and terror. Atwan says, "Iraqis are the victims".

Gazi Kanaan

Khair Allah Khair Allah of Al Mustaqbal (Lebanon) says it is not easy for any Lebanese to set aside his/her emotions when talking about Gazi Kanaan.

This is because this man has played the role of a "high commissioner" saying yes and no to anything concerning Lebanon.

To the extent that he might have committed suicide because of his failure in what Khair Allah calls "the Lebanese project".

This failure has caused him to reach a dead end and left him with no options but suicide.

The writer adds, "or it caused a confrontation with his opponents within the system which led him one way or another to suicide".

Mukram Mohammad Ahmad of Al Watan (Qatar) says some Syrian and Lebanese explanations pushed the idea that Gazi Kanaan (who was a friend to Rafik Hariri and objected to President Lahoud's leadership extension) committed suicide out of sadness and grief.

This is because Kanaan saw how his lifelong efforts to improve Lebanese-Syrian relations were fruitless.

Having said that, Ahmad says the increasing suspicions surrounding Kanaan's death are evidence that the investigation (conducted by judge Mehlis) did not stop at Syrian security officials.

In his words, Ahmad says "there is a big surprise coming our way" and whatever the results, fixing the Syrian Lebanese relationship will require a different look, different people and different methods.

Maen Al Bayari of Al Khaleej (UAE) questions "what internal wars were going through Kanaan's head while he watched Syria's security service tumble in Lebanon".

His thoughts surrounding the suicide is that Kanaan could have gone through nervousness and worry (similar to what many artists and writers such as Hemingway went through).

Or he might have gone through a Hitler-phase. Or perhaps he took the advice once given by Muammar Gaddafi that we should all commit suicide given the situation we are living in and circumstances we are facing.

Al Bayari says, "Only God knows".