According to Iraqis, Obama Will Change Nothing in Iraq

The new U.S. president’s pledge to address the Iraq issue does not raise much hope for the Iraqis who regard it as mere talk.

Many Iraqis doubt the ability of the new U.S. president, Barack Obama, to achieve radical change in the conditions of their country, expressing the conviction that the U.S. policy towards Iraq will remain the same.

Sadeq Abbas (52 years old, owner of a currency exchange store in central Baghdad): "The American administration's policy will remain the same. A change in presidents alters nothing."

Abbas added that "The Americans will stay in Iraq for decades. This fact will not change even when they change presidents."

Ali Kamel (26 years old, owner of a cellular phone store in central Baghdad): “A change in U.S. presidents is a change in name only. The White House's policy remains the same." While inspecting one of the telephones behind his table, Ali added, "The security situation in Iraq will not get better because they (the Americans) will remain in power to justify their presence in our country."

A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Defense announced last Thursday that the Pentagon is preparing a number of options for the president, including a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq within 16 months, something promised during his election campaign.

He added: "We want to be ready to make some offers to the president, including withdrawal in 16 months. Certainly, we would not provide any options without presenting the risk involved."

The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Raymond Odierno, recommended keeping a large number of troops in the country for the current year, for fear of losing the gains made on the security front.

Hiwa Gafoor Alborznge (46 years old, a Kurdish businessman from Kirkuk, 255 km north of Baghdad): "Obama will pay significantly for supporting Iraq’s reconstruction."

He adds that "Obama’s policy will encourage Iraqis to forget their cast differences," expressing his belief that Iraq will shift away from the country’s division in the next phase, a reference to setup attempts in the northern and southern provinces.

Hoda Kazim (45 years old): "America will not leave Iraq and withdraw its troops even if Obama tried to do something about the situation in this country.” However, she expressed the hope that "Obama’s policy will be better than George W. Bush’s.” While carrying shopping bags at Mary Karradat in central Baghdad, the lady added that "The security situation still needs more stability." Kazim condemned "the Iraqi politicians who are more concerned with power then with national interests.”

Abu Haidar (41 years old, owner of a shop in Sadr City in the east): "Obama will not fulfill his promises to withdraw troops and change American policy in Iraq."

Karim Ahmed (39 years old, a fish vendor on Abu Naas street, central Baghdad): "Obama will not change U.S. policy." As he stands in front of a fish cart, he added, "American leaders and even the Iraqis are not looking for anything but their own political interests."

A policeman, who declined to be named while he was on patrol in central Baghdad, said "The U.S. presidents all walk the same line, and Obama will not change anything." He adds that "Obama will not be able to fulfill his promises, and the Americans will not let go of Iraq's oil, which has cost them a lot."

The cleric Mohammed Al-Ardi (in his forties, from city of Najaf): "We believe that American policy would not be affected by the change in U.S. leaders." However, he expressed hope in saying that "We are optimistic about the arrival of President Obama because of his election promise to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. This is the hope for all Iraqis."

Under the security agreement signed between Iraq and the United States, the U.S. must withdraw its troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. Presently, there are 142,000 soldiers in Iraq.