Editorial: How long will the emergency law last?
By Hameed Abdullah
(Al-Mashriq, 09 Nov 04) – The declaration of the emergency law has resulted in different reactions. But the question is: what happens after the 60-day period for the law expires? Is this law the first step in the treatment or the last one? This declaration is an official confession made by the government that the situation is deteriorating. Iraq was supposed to be in a state of emergency for just weeks or months after the occupation. But declaring this law after 19 months of occupation means the situation is worsening. The problem is that the police and army, who the people resort to in times of distress, are themselves targets. To whom, then, shall we resort?
(Al-Mashriq is published daily by Al-Mashriq Institution for Media and Cultural Investments.)

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Editorial: Women deserve their place in the assembly
By Muhammed Abdul Jabbar
(Al-Sabah, 07 Nov 04) – The development of societies is measured by, among other things, women’s participation in public life. Despite the decades of oppression in Iraq, it is still better than other societies of the region as far as the role given to women is concerned. We have presented women as ministers, politicians, journalists, and so forth. According to the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, unemployment in Iraq now stands at 30.1%. Some 30.2% of males are unemployed, while unemployed females number just 16%. This means working women outnumber working men. Therefore, women deserve their 25% share of the seats in the National Assembly.
(Al-Sabah is a daily independent publicly owned newspaper.)

Editorial: What happens after 60 days?
(Azzaman, 08 Nov 04) – The imposition of the 60-day emergency law indicates the failure of the government to defuse crises politically. Moreover, neighbouring countries, which have ambitions in Iraq, flagrantly interfere in its affairs by increasing car bombings and assassinations. Sometimes, they implement their plans by using political powers related to them inside Iraq. The question is: what if the problems continue after 60 days? Moreover, why is violence referred to as the reason behind the paralysis in state departments, while administrative corruption is ignored? The government should have been more patient and tried to resort to political solutions.
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz.)

Editorial: Martial law will create wounds hard to heal
By Basim al-Sheikh
(Addustour, 11 Nov 04) – The emergency law is a precaution taken to solve a sharp crisis. Although the law limits freedoms, many parties justified and welcomed it as a step to restore the way of life confiscated by car bombs and mortars. But, taking into consideration what is going on in Fallujah and other cities, we have a clear idea of the government’s aims. It wants to achieve them regardless of the consequences of the methods used. The government considers controlling Fallujah a strategic aim through which other aims can be achieved. Therefore, this step taken by the government will take another direction under which all areas of tension will be controlled and many Iraqis will be killed. Regardless of whether this step is right or wrong, we know the military solution may win the battle on the ground but it will leave injuries that cannot be cured by politics.
(Addustour is an independent daily published by former journalist Basim al-Sheikh.)

Editorial: Terrorists play into Bush’s hands
(Al-Mada, 07 Nov 04) – Our information from Fallujah and Ramadi indicates that Arab gunmen had plans to increase their activities recently to make President George W. Bush lose the US elections. This indicates political narrow-mindedness for since the events of September 11, Bush has become stronger. As a result, terrorism clearly presents Bush and his special counter-terrorist theories with the necessary justifications and equipment. Because terrorists are fanatics, they cannot differentiate between their political intentions and the results of their actions. After September 11, Afghanistan and Iraq were occupied.
(Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)

Editorial: Insurgents presume to speak for Iraqis
By Ismail Zayer
(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed, 12 Nov 04) – Some Saudis consider themselves responsible for the people of Iraq, and for their religious and intellectual beliefs. These Saudis are instigators and accomplices in the crimes being committed by gangs which use the good religion of Islam as a cover. They interpret the Quran in ways opposite to religious authorities. They do not like Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani and other clergymen because they describe them as unbelievers and founders of heresy. The problem is that the judgments of these Saudis are selective depending on their political and financial interests. They cannot address the Kings of Saudi Arabia or Morocco. Hence, they export their insurgency to us.
(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed is an independent daily paper.)