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A Turning Point

Spanish Translation

By Nelida Gonzalez Cutler

Campaign posters litter the streets. Ads blare from radios and TVs. These are typical events for Americans the week before an election. But last week, Iraq was campaign central. As the nation approached its January 30 vote, citizens prepared to vote in free elections for the first time in 50 years. There was a feeling of optimism in some neighborhoods. But in other areas, fear, uncertainty and ever-present danger ruled the day.

As many as 20,000 insurgents, or rebels, are waging a war against the U.S. presence in Iraq. The rebels threatened violence against those who took part in the U.S.-sponsored elections. In Baghdad, men passed out leaflets warning that anyone who dared to vote would be killed. Some candidates were afraid to campaign openly or to have their names listed on ballots. Many Iraqis didn't even know the candidates' names or faces.

Abbas Hamid Abdul Rezza lives in Najaf in southern Iraq. His home is across the road from a school that was designated as a voting station. "Every day we are so scared," he told TIME earlier this month.

His fears were well-founded. In the days before the election, the violence intensified. Last Wednesday, rebels attacked several schools. Six U.S. troops were killed in combat that day. Also, a Marine helicopter crash killed 31, making it the deadliest day since the war began in 2003. Still, U.S. officials hoped that at least half of Iraq's 15 million eligible voters would go to the polls on Sunday.

Two Points of View
The al-Saadi family of Baghdad, Iraq's capital, couldn't wait for election day. "I'd like to go out and vote right now," said Karim, 43, an electrical-goods salesman. His mother, Sabiha, has faith that a newly elected Iraqi government will bring peace to the country. "I won't have to worry about my children's safety," she said.

A few miles across town, the mood was less optimistic. Omar Nasreddin, 47, said he would not vote. He did not trust that the election would be fair. As a Sunni Muslim, Nasreddin belongs to a minority group. Many Sunnis fear that they will not have power in the new government. Sunni religious leaders called for a boycott of the election.

Who Will Win?
Candidates ran for the 275-member National Assembly. This group will choose the country's president and two vice presidents. Those officials will pick a prime minister.

Few observers dared to predict who would be named prime minister. The U.S. supports Iyad Allawi, the interim prime minister and the man the U.S. handed over power to in June 2004. Allawi calls the job he holds "horrible," but he waged a tough fight to hold on to it. He may lose because many Iraqis blame his government for the growing violence and the difficulties they face daily. Water, electricity and fuel are in short supply.

Will the Results Matter?
The U.S. hoped that the elections would pave the way for a more self-reliant Iraq, one that does not need the U.S. to guarantee security. There are 150,000 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. Last week, Allawi admitted that he did not want the troops to go until Iraq's security forces could do the job on their own. "I will not set final dates" for the withdrawal of foreign forces, he said.

Trying to ensure a safe, fair and meaningful election was a tough job for the U.S. and Iraq. But bringing lasting democracy, stability and peace to Iraq may prove to be an even bigger challenge.

A Divided Country
The majority of Iraqis are Muslim, but they are divided into two groups, Shiites and Sunnis. The nation's Sunni and Shiite Muslims have a long history of tension and violence. Shiites are in the majority. But during the rule of Saddam Hussein, who is a Sunni, Shiites had little say in the country's government.

The Kurds are an ethnic minority. They also suffered under Hussein. On Sunday, they voted for their own assembly.

Ethnic Groups
Arab 80%
Kurdish 15%
Other 5%

Religious Groups
Shiite Muslim 65%
Sunni Muslim 32%
Christian and other 3%

Source: The CIA World Factbook, 2004; percentages are approximate.

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