New York Times: Protesters say the government's reforms ink on paper



Author: aa Editor: sz

08/31/2015 15:55

Tomorrow Press / Baghdad: in the yard of the protest, where sound trade to demand reforms by protesters on the performance of the government, the owners of selling soft drinks are the beneficiaries of these communities to increase their daily income, on the other side of the square, young men and women chanting the national anthem of Iraq burning, most of them Nipple university degrees, which did not benefit them something.

There were two friends, one of whom Yasser Abdel-Rahman said 21-year-old, who holds a degree in engineering but is still unemployed. His friend Ali Hussein, 22, left his university studies to support his family through his work taxi driver in Baghdad, seemingly oblivious to the specter of bombings that have swept any moment. Hussein believes that the reforms achieved self-sacrifice.

Friday the fifth consecutive ended Iraqis and thousands filling Tahrir Square in Baghdad, mostly but not entirely packed arena secular claimants youth government for change and an end to the control of Islamist parties to power, and improve public services, such as electricity and reform of the judiciary and the questioning of corrupt officials to corrupt contracts have entered into during the past years as well as their claim, the separation of religion from politics and the State Administration.

And receive protests shadow over the war against the militants, "Daash", as this job is the main concern of Iraq since last year. Change came quickly on paper, by declaring Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi package of reforms to appease the protesters, calling also to cancel government positions deemed unnecessary and increase the expenses of the state, including the positions of President of the Republic, which was canceled in response to demand an end to sectarian quotas.

After several weeks, and a few of the measures and the abolition of positions of President of the Republic, say protesters, but nothing achieved so far and they are pessimistic of the reforms launched by the government now, in this context, says Ali Fares, 25, who recently joined the protests, "that what is happening is the ink on Paper ".

Apart from the feeling on the street, political conspiracies, inside the Green Zone to be opened to the Iraqis, officials say, that al-Abadi fired promises to ease and absorb the anger of the protesters to keep the rest of the country is fighting armed extremists threaten its existence, as well as that of sectarianism and corruption rooted in the political system.

In his quest for reform, Abadi may fail in consultation with the political blocs, while many fear that the mobility reform may make new enemies inside him among the political elites.

The deputy close to the al-Abadi, speaking on condition of anonymity, "How can achieve all the demands on the ground, and what percentage of its implementation on the ground? But if Nhj Abadi in the elimination of sectarianism and party quotas, he would become a" national hero ".

Popular protests also noted the support of the Shiite religious authority in Najaf, and this support has provided political cover for Ebadi to address the most troublesome problems in the country. Iraqis say, that since the start of the protests have seen a modest improvement of electricity.

Carpets horses Iraqi analyst based in London works every now and then an adviser to the government of a land. Says, "regardless of what happened, the street still wants real change, taking into account that these demands can not be achieved quickly and turn the tables on the political elites."

There is a concern of the leaders of the Shiite armed groups close to Iran who can exploit the anger on the street to stay in power, especially that they have become increasingly popular after the success of their forces in the fight against militants, "Daash".

Translation: Ahmed Alaa

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