DICKEY: Is the United States going to get rid of Saddam Hussein?
ATWAN: I think it is inevitable.
For their own benefit, wouldn’t it make sense for the Iraqi people to replace Saddam themselves?
The Iraqis are facing the same dilemma as all other Arab peoples with their leaders. Many would like to get rid of their leaders. But we don’t have peaceful transition in the Arab world; we have only two things: a change of power by military coup or by natural death. When it comes to military coups, the armies are completely under the control of the ruling families. And natural death is not a guarantee that the regime will be changed, because now presidents are installing their sons in their places.
Some people in the Bush administration are saying that if the United States succeeds in replacing Saddam, Iraq could become a beacon of democracy for the region.
I don’t believe the Americans are fond of democracy when it comes to the Middle East. Name one American ally in the Arab world who encourages democracy, or has some sort of credible election. I don’t believe the Americans are changing the regime in Baghdad for the sake of the Iraqi people. No. They are doing it for the sake of American interests, and domestic politics.
You think the United States would fight a war like this and just walk away?
I think if you look at the recent history of the Americans’ interventions, they really are experts at destruction, not construction. Look at what happened in Afghanistan. There is no law and order at all. There is no united country behind a central government.
But Iraq is a country with tremendous resources and a highly educated population. Don’t you think something good could come of this?
Yes, in theory that’s possible. Maybe some democracy will emerge. Maybe a better life for the Iraqis. But what makes me suspicious is that we haven’t seen any solid American plan about Iraq after the invasion or attack. Suppose Iraq fragments and there’s civil war there?
That’s pretty fatalistic.
Arab public opinion doesn’t trust American promises. Americans promised during the gulf war that after they kicked Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait it would be the last war, there would be a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Middle East would be much better off. What happened? After 12 years the Arab-Israeli conflict is worse. Corrupted regimes are still solidly in power. And people are suffering. So now when the Iraqi people see that the Americans never fulfilled their promises, it is extremely difficult to sell them the idea of a model Iraq after Saddam Hussein.
You’ve met Osama bin Laden. A few weeks ago you said you thought he was still alive. What do you think now?
I believe Osama bin Laden is the happiest man on earth when he looks at American preparations for war on Iraq. He’ll say to everybody, “Look, I told you so: those Americans are not looking for democracy or human rights; they are really looking for the blood of Muslims and Arabs.” He’s always tried to capitalize on anger against the United States on account of Iraq. Even when he issued his fatwa against Americans in February 1998, he was anticipating that there would be an American attack against Iraq [a few weeks later]. He wanted to use that to mobilize people behind him and his organization. Now he will do the same.
If he’s alive.
I believe he’s still alive. He had a piece of shrapnel removed from his left shoulder and now he’s in perfect health. I was told he’s not suffering from kidney failure, as was said in the past. And now he’s trying to regroup and come out with a big, big bang against American targets anywhere in the world.
