With rising sectarianism in Iraq, only dialogue can secure sovereignty and dignity, writes Mohamed El-Anwar The political scene in Iraq is hardly a cheerful one. The interim Iraqi government has not yet been formed, although the National Assembly has finally managed to meet. Violence remains a daily occurrence. No wonder, then, that Iraqis greeted the second anniversary of the beginning of the war with a sense of indifference. Some papers ran pictures on their front pages showing the fall of Saddam Hussein's statue in Firdous Square, but otherwise the mood in Iraq was far from celebratory. The country's unity is hanging in the balance, yet politicians are too busy vying for power to do anything about the rise of sectarianism. Due to provocations by the occupation forces, violence continues unabated in Al-Anbar, Nineveh, Diyali, and Salaheddin governorates. Hardly a day passes without loss of life, even among the Americans. And it is often hard to know who is battling whom in a country where terrorists with a hidden agenda often masquerade as freedom fighters. On the political scene, the picture is hardly more promising. Despite the reservations expressed by many about elections held under occupation, a political process has gotten underway. The Americans, the international community, and a fair percentage of Iraqis were relieved to see the elections take place. But the parties that won in the elections are having trouble forming a government, mostly because they are putting their own interests before that of the nation. The Kurds act as if only their demands matter. The Shia -- at least those who won the majority of votes -- are people who dream of a theological state. The Sunnis, having boycotted the elections, are still considering their options. To make things worse, a hate wave is taking shape, with Arabs living in Iraq and Arab countries, especially Syria and Jordan, being the target. Everyone seems to have denounced the massacres committed against innocent people in Hilla and Mosul, but the media and some officials have to take part of the blame. Enmity against everything Arab has been nurtured of late. In whose interest is this going on? In whose interest is it that Iraq should turn its back on its Arab identity? Iran has been blamed for the violence in Iraq. But many may wonder, why would Iran get involved in so many operations in Iraq? And why do Iranian security services maintain such a strong presence in Iraq? Also, why is the US acting so leniently towards the Iranian role in Iraq, at a time when it is standing so tough on the Iranian nuclear issue? Everyone in Iraq hopes that the current crisis will soon be over and that a new government will supervise successfully the writing of a new constitution and draw up a formula for security and social peace. It is only through dialogue and openness that Iraq will be able to maintain its sovereignty and dignity.
