Freedom in Iraq

Freedom in Iraq - 2004-03-26. What you read here is the official view of the U.S. government. One year after the regime of Saddam Hussein was ousted by a U.S.-led coalition, the people of Iraq join the free nations of the world. Today, a free press is flourishing in Iraq, enabling access to various news sources for the people. More than 600 journalists are licensed members of the International Press Center in Baghdad. Many of them write for over 200 Iraqi newspapers that are now being published. This nascent press freedom encourages democratic discourse in Iraq. Some of the experts published in Iraqi newspapers criticize the U.S.-led coalition. However, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman for the U.S. State Department, states that what is happening today is in stark contrast to the controlled and pre-arranged displays we saw a little over a year ago, orchestrated by the Ba'athist Minister of Information in Iraq. He says, 'We respect the rights of people to express their opinions. And I think, especially when they differ from our views, nothing speaks more eloquently to the values we are trying to promote in Iraq. Our effort is to help the people of Iraq be able to express their grievances peacefully and with full respect for differing opinions.' Iraqi writers, poets, and artists are also enjoying their newfound freedom. Hassan Amji Cafe in Baghdad was a place where many Iraqi artists gathered. However, during Saddam Hussein's regime, they feared expressing their opinions openly. Now, they have returned there. Ali Safer, a short story writer and playwright, is among the patrons of the cafe. He told a Washington Times reporter that a man of letters must be free, not to sell his talent but to dedicate it to expressing reality. Mr. Safer expressed regret that so many writers had spent their talents praising the former regime. He says that now, with Saddam Hussein gone, it feels as if a heavy burden has been lifted from the chests of the Iraqi people.