By Xinhua
Baghdad : As the fifth anniversary of Iraqi war drew imminent, Iraqi people still strive for survival rather than enjoying a free and just life as they expected before the war.
Before the U.S.-led war against Saddam Hussein’s reign in 2003,the U.S. administration depicted a rosy future with freedom and justice of Iraq.
However, five year passed, Iraqis see nothing but daily killings, bombings and abductions only.
While the Iraqi government itself was somewhat worn out by the limitless wait, Iraqi people is becoming sophisticated in waiting for a seemingly visionary better life amid U.S. occupation.
They have learned how to wait for long hours for getting fuel, how to wait near a numerous number of security checkpoints for passing, how to wait months in the same government offices forgetting passports or other documents, how to wait for the next morning without light.
A day before the fifth anniversary of the Iraqi war, Xinhua reporters went to streets on Wednesday to hear what the Iraqis are thinking now.
“Five years of the U.S. occupation will lapse soon without me spending even one day in comfort. We are waiting for the day when we can see the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from our country. It will be then the most beautiful day to us since we will have the real freedom of not seeing the unidentified bodies scattered in the streets of Baghdad and other areas, of not seeing the horrible U.S. tanks and vehicles in our streets, and of not hearing the thunderous daily explosions in our cities,” an old man called Abu Ali said, gulping a long sip of cigarette.
“The Iraqis endure bitter waiting, paying back for their leaders’ mistakes,” the old man deeply signed with a heavy smoke blown out, referring to the toppled former president Saddam Hussein.
Abbas Ali, a 23-year-old porter at a popular market in Karbala,100 km south of Baghdad, said he “was one of those who have been deceived by the notion of democracy and freedom.”
“I am so frustrated after discovering that we have got only lies. After the U.S. invasion I became so glad because I have heard about many rosy promises. Then I thought that my poor living conditions will turn bright. Unfortunately, after five years, my hope went in vain,” the young guy complained.
Umar Dhahi, a middle-aged man, ridiculed the changes over the past five years. “Who said nothing is changed in Iraq? People have been killed, the infrastructures have been destroyed, thousands of Iraqi children were now orphaned, and thousands of women became widows,” he reeled off.
“The rest of the Iraqis should be patient since everything will be changed,” Dhahi said sarcastically.
The Iraqi women spend their days in painful wait as well. Some of them wait for the coming of their sons in the U.S. and Iraqi jails, while others wait for their children to come back safe without facing explosions on their way to and from schools.
“I am waiting bitterly day and night for the releasing of my son from a U.S. prison in southern Iraq. He was detained two years ago. I also wait for other sons to come back safe from their schools, since I don’t want them to be killed or injured by an attack,” Um Yaser, an Iraqi housewife, said in great worry.