A chance for War-Torn Iraq - Essay Example

A Chance for War-Torn Iraq Large-scale violence still haunts post-Saddam Iraq. World news is never enough without a bit of violent item on Iraq everyday. Recently, a number of Shia Muslim pilgrims were fired upon by gunmen; a suicide bomber has also killed scores of people in a caf in a town near Baghdad. The target of these senseless killings is mostly the innocent people. Sectarian conflicts in Iraq seem to increase everyday. Is there still a chance for peace to reign in Iraq What can the Iraqis and the rest of the world do to realize peace Of course, fleeing the country is not the solution.

The United Nations (UN) stands by firmly to help attain serenity in Iraq. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2007) is annoyed by the series of bomb attacks in Iraq which appear to be "aimed at provoking sectarian strife." In an address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Moon (2007) disclosed that the problem in Iraq is the United Nation's second immediate concern this year. He pledged to give his "best efforts to help the Iraqi people in their quest for a more stable and prosperous" country.

He stressed that UN role can "assist in building an inclusive political process, helping a regional environment supportive of a transition to stability, and pursuing reconstruction through the International Compact" (Moon, 2007). Iraq is among the world's largest oil-producing countries. It is naturally rich. But the natural resources is not maximised because of the conflict. However, the business community is not yet giving up on Iraq. Oil majors and the International Monetary Fund have been pressuring Iraq to pass a thoroughly free-market hydrocarbons law that would allow foreign companies to make huge profits from Iraq's petroleum (Parenti, 2007).

Although this proposal has its pros and cons, the silent majority of Iraq is craving for progress. Progress (e.g. in business) is one of the major solutions to counter war among the locals. When development is attained, poverty will be eradicated. With a progressive country and contented citizenry, peace is not a farfetched word for Iraqis. Easier said than done Not at all, if the leaders have the strong political will. The UN will play a major role in this endeavor. Many politicians in Iraq have already fled from the country.

With the help of the UN, these leaders can convene once and for all, to thresh out the plans and projects that will hopefully dissolve the anarchy in Iraq. As a unifying force, UN can host a dialogue between the Iraqi government and the sectarian leaders, and eventually enter into a peace agreement. This, while continuously empowering the people of Iraq through the members of the UN peacekeeping mission. Iraq needs an empowered people, people who are aware and can calmly stand up for their rights against the hostile forces.

Stable peace and order situation and development in Iraq will not happen overnight. A lot of lives can even be sacrificed along the way to progress and peace. But the war against violence in Iraq can be won with a vigilant and united Iraqi people, with anti-poverty programs, business-friendly environment, and with leaders who have strong political-will. Bibliography Moon, B. K. 2007. Address at the center for strategic and international studies. [Online]. UN. Available: http://www.un.

org/apps/sg/sgstats.aspnid=2410 [7 March 2007]. Moon, B. K. 2007. Statement attributable to the spokesperson for the Secretary-General in response to a series of bomb attacks on Shi'a pilgrims in Iraq. [Online]. UN. Available: http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.aspnid=2471 [7 March 2007]. Parenti, C. 2007. The Nation: Who will get the oil [Online]. Available: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070319/parenti [8 March 2007]