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June 28, 2004
Rule by Proxy
This is why most colonial powers prefer to install some proxy government under their control to their bidding rather than rule directly:
The defense minister, Hazim Shaalan, is a former banker who more recently worked as a real-estate agent in London. "After June 30," said Shaalan, "we will hit these people and teach them a good lesson they won't forget. Americans and allied forces have certain restrictions we won't have." He declined to be more specific, except to say, "It's our country, it's our culture, and we have different laws than you do." (A few days later, after yet another suicide bombing, he was more blunt: "We will cut off their hands and behead them.")
It's been demonstrated time and time again that people in the colonial-master country are far more sensitive to the conduct of their countrymen stationed in the colony than to the conduct of the local hirelings and proxies. We don't like it if our armed forces kills a few people directly but it's barely news if someone we hire or control kills dozens or hundreds in order to protect the interests of the colonial-master and a few local cronies.
Posted by zeynep at June 28, 2004 02:28 PM
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Comments
This posting says it all, Zeynep. And what qualifies Hazim Shaalan to be the Defense Minister in the first place? Obviously this interim Iraqi government is a joke and a complete sham. The colonial masters only want one thing. It is what they have always wanted. They want EVERYTHING!! What happens to Iraqis is of no consequence to the imperial masters. Morality? What's that!? Democracy? Where?
Sincerely,
Old & In The Way
Posted by: Phil Cicchi at June 28, 2004 03:23 PM
Good points in this article. In retrospect, it seems obvious but Amercans are still living in a dream world where their governments don't do things like the nasty Brits, Frogs, Japs, and Nazis.
Posted by: Ralph at July 8, 2004 05:04 PM