Tens of thousands of Iraqis protest against extension of occupation

Tens of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Oct. 18 in militant opposition to a proposed pact between the U.S. and Iraqi governments to grant an extension to the U.S.-led occupation.

Iraqi’s flood the streets of Baghdad to denounce plans to formally extend the U.S. occupation, Oct. 18.

Carrying Iraqi and Shiite flags, protesters shouted “No, no to America, Yes to Iraq.” One banner summed up the sentiment of the Iraqi people towards the U.S. occupation, reading, “We refuse the existence of the U.S. in Iraq.” (Associated Press, Oct. 18)

A statement from Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr read at the demonstration called on the Iraqi parliament to reject the deal and warned that it would not provide self-determination for the Iraqi people.

“If they tell you that the agreement ends the presence of the occupation, let me tell you that the occupier will retain its bases. And whoever tells you that it gives us sovereignty is a liar,” al-Sadr’s statement read. “I am confident that you brothers in parliament will champion the will of the people over that of the occupier. … Do not betray the people.” (Associated Press, Oct. 18)

If the Iraqi parliament approves it, the agreement will permit the continued presence of occupation forces until the end of 2011, with a clause allowing troops to stay longer at the request of the Iraqi government.

The plan is little more than a feeble attempt by Washington to legitimize its imperialist occupation of Iraq as the deadline of the current U.N. mandate authorizing the criminal occupation fast approaches. The text includes language crafted to create the illusion of Iraqi sovereignty, such as references to an increase in Iraqi government authority over U.S. soldiers. In reality, as long as the imperialist occupation continues, Washington will do as it wishes in Iraq.

Both U.S. and Iraqi government officials wanted the Iraqi parliament to simply put the plan to a vote without making any amendments. However, members of parliament have raised a number of objections, including concerns about a potential extension of the occupation beyond 2011.

Though many Iraqi parliamentarians might be personally inclined toward a compromise, fierce popular opposition has turned the proposed plan into a hazardous political liability. Iraqi politicians who seek to please Washington—or who outright depend on Washington to stay in power—are not immune to the internal forces of mass discontent.

Millions of Iraqis are fed up with foreign occupation and the suffering and death it has brought. They have no intention to give up their fight for control over their own country. The latest mass demonstration is an unambiguous rejection of yet another sham attempt by Washington to legitimize its occupation.

The road to national self-determination for Iraqis begins with the defeat of U.S. imperialism and the unconditional, immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces. Bring the troops home now!