Latter-day Saint Building Democracy in Iraq

Latter-day Saint Building Democracy in Iraq
Part 2
by Sylvia McMillan Finlayson

See the first set of Jim Mayfield’s letters from Iraq by clicking here.

I drove to Arizona last weekend and paid $2.35 for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline. So much for America’s plan to steal Iraqi oil. Gas prices are at an all time high in the U.S. Not only that, $87 billion was requested by the Bush administration for the rebuilding of Iraq for the year 2004 alone. That does not include the $80 billion that has already been spent in that country. We’re talking American taxpayer money here, not proceeds from Iraqi oil. What happened to vanquishing the conquered and dominating Arab civilization?

It is a sad yet inevitable truth that there are American soldiers and Iraqi civilians dying on a near daily basis in Iraq. But fewer have died under U.S. occupation than would have died under the brute Hussein. These deaths are not intentional torturings, rather Americans and Iraqis standing side by side to defend a new-found freedom and developing democracy. Bush was right when he said, “No one can argue that the Iraqi people would be better off with the thugs and murderers back in the palaces.”

Jim Mayfield mentions in one of his emails that Saddam Hussein was in power for 36 years and couldn’t we just give the occupying forces at least 36 months to try to turn things around. I read a CNN report that said, “For now, the economy is clearly gaining ground.” For now?! How reluctantly the media reports positive news and even more reluctantly supports U.S. efforts in Iraq. A day-by-day blow of the bombings and setbacks might not be so harmful if they were juxtaposed next to the daily successes; but all too often they aren’t.

There are success stories, however, and we continue to share here emails from Latter-day Saint and former mission president, James B. Mayfield, who is helping to advance the cause of freedom and prosperity in Iraq. Despite the personal danger and sacrifice that comes with such an assignment, Jim has long been an advocate of the philosophy of development specialist and humanitarian Dr. James C. Yen, who said,

“Go to the people
Live among them
Learn from them
Love them
Serve them
Plan with them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have.”

Jim’s commitment to helping people, particularly the rural poor, has been a lifelong one guided by a love of God and his fellow man.

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Oct 1 2003

Training for Constitutional Convention

Hi Honey

This was a good day.

We meet with the tribal leaders in Hillah and we are training them to prepare themselves to run for the constitutional convention to be held some time next year. Then I met with the Association for Human Rights, and invited them to help us monitor the local elections for the 56 neighborhood councils that will be elected in October and November.

RTI has been asked to take the lead in this tremendous task in democratization in Hillah. At noon I met with a delegation of council members from Musayyab District, who complained that the governorate council was trying to control them and they want their autonomy and independence from the higher council.

At 4:00 pm I met with the governorate council of Babil and battled with them for two hours until they agreed to amend 14 articles in the bylaws for local councils that would indeed give the lower councils (district and sub district councils) freedom from the control of the governorate council.

Another great victory today for decentralization and greater freedom for the lower councils. People at the local level are starting to believe that they really will have freedom and democracy, but it is amazing how many Iraqis still think things should be centralized as it was before. Well this was just an average day for me

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November 2003

Wes Hare is in Kaballa and works with Jim. He wrote this article for his newspaper in LaGrande Oregon

A Brief Report from Karbala

Wes Hare, La Grande City Manager

I have spent most of my working life trying to understand the nature of collective effort. How do we harness the power, creativity, intellect and initiative of individuals to work together collaboratively toward common goals? As important a question as this is in the U.S., it is of far more urgency in Iraq.

Most of the people I have met in Karbala appear to be honest and hard working. They have faith in God and they love their families. Many are well educated and have extensive professional experience. It appears, however, that almost no one has experience working in a system where initiative is rewarded. People are not shy about expressing opinions as they were forced to be under the previous regime. They are shy about taking responsibility for solving problems.

RTI, the company I work for, is attempting to produce four “intermediate results” to help unlock the potential of the Iraqi people and a future democratic government. Building management capacity, developing organizations, promoting transparency and public accountability, plus increasing citizen participation in local government are the four broad goals we are working to achieve. There are some inspired people doing great work toward these ends.

Last week, my two U.S. colleagues and I were evacuated from Karbala due to a violent struggle between opposing religious factions. The events I witnessed over the past few days illustrate the meaning of what we are trying to do in Iraq. My first experience was having the opportunity to watch Dr. James Mayfield, a retired university professor, help organize a group of village leaders into a government advisory council. Dr. Mayfield is 70 years old, but he has committed one year of his life away from his family to service in Iraq. His 40 years of Middle Eastern experience are put to work when he meets with local leaders to explain and demonstrate the democratic process.

He began the meeting I attended by using a passage from the Koran to articulate the first principle of democratic government – that all people are equal before God. Dr. Mayfield’s respect for the faith and culture of his audience is obvious in all he does. Following a brief lesson, Dr. Mayfield used an election to help decide some process issues and to demonstrate democracy in action. It was fascinating to watch the enthusiasm of the local leaders as they debated the pros and cons of the issue to be decided. All participants seemed pleased with the results and all present, including me, received some very practical instruction in the importance of local democracy.

The second meaningful event I recently attended was the memorial service for two U.S. military policemen killed in action in Karbala last Thursday, October 16. The only words I can think of that adequately express the meaning of this sacrifice come from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: “That government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

It is tragic that as most of us struggle to work together toward the common goal of a better world that some will be committed to violence and destruction. This sad fact is no less true in the United States than it is in Iraq. I am optimistic about the future of both places because I believe most of us, Iraqis and Americans, are willing to sacrifice to create peaceful and prosperous communities for our children.

Wes Hare
RTI Local Governance Specialist
Karbala, Iraq

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Jim talks about Ramadan and explains to his family about this special time.

The word Iftar refers to the big dinner that is given during the month of Fasting (Ramadan). There is no food or water consumed during the day light hours. Iftar begins at sunset and usually when guests are invited, there is a huge spread of all kinds of food, with everyone either sitting or standing around a big table or on pillows on the floor. We always eat too much; it is like having a Thanksgiving dinner every night for 30 days. That is Iftar.

Ramadan is a time to be with your extended family and friends and usually there will be 20-50 people at a time. I have been to five Iftars already during Ramadan, with the Governor, with some Shaykhs, with our staff, also here in the Villa with our team. It is a nice time, and I have tried not to eat during the day out of respect for the staff and the people of Iraq. They seem to appreciate that.

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Nov 5

A Close Call

Last night, there was an interesting problem which ended in a positive way.

About 9:00pm the guards at the CPS headquarters (where they were staying in the tent) looked across the river and saw 10 cars full of people with weapons. They alerted Mike Gfoeller, the head of South Central Region, and he called the Polish Soldiers and the Iraqi Governor. Within ten minutes, the Governor with his policemen was there on the site. He personally took charge, arresting 11 people and confiscating a huge number of weapons.

Thirty minutes after it was all over, the Polish called and wanted to know if they should come over. (Smile) Mike said to them, it has been taken care of. Mike called Ambassador Bremmer and said this Governor Witwit in Hillah is the best governor in Iraq; he risked his own life to arrest these criminals to protect the Americans.

The next morning while I was in a meeting with Mike and he said, “Come with me. We are going to meet the Governor.” We went to the front of the CPA headquarters building. There were probably 100 Americans lined up, and as the Governor arrived, we all gave him a huge welcome. He smiled at the reception and then said:

“I was but doing my duty, you are the ones who I should be thanking. You have come here, risked your lives everyday, and you have done something that no other country, except maybe England, was willing to do. You have come here to remove the terrible monster Saddam Hussein.”

Then he started to clap for us. It was a very moving moment and now once again, I know why I am here in Iraq. The people are very grateful for what we have done. There are a handful of dangerous criminals, former henchmen of Saddam, who are still killing Americans, but they are few and they all will be caught. We must not lose faith in the Iraqi people because of these few criminals. I wish CNN could have seen that moment this morning.

Love,

Jim

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November 14 – Lectures at University to 200 Tribal Leaders

I gave several lectures to some 200 tribal leaders from the South Central area of Iraq. Six governorates representing nearly 40 % of the people of Iraq outside of Baghdad. I told you about the meeting I attended a month ago involving some 1300 tribal leaders from throughout Iraq. I was so impressed that all of these leaders (Kurdish, Sunni and Shia) were committed to a three points:

1) Territorial integrity of Iraq unified under one government.

2) The establishment of a democratic system of government.

3) Their appreciation of the coalition forces for removing Saddam Hussein.

A group of these tribal leaders from the area for which I am responsible (South Central Region) asked if I would give a series of lectures on the processes of democracy and how tribals could best participate. Probably two thirds of the people of Iraq belong to a tribe and many of these tribal leaders are very educated. After my lecture, I met tribal leaders that were doctors, lawyers, architects, university professors, successful business men, scientists, etc.

I will be giving 4 lectures:

1) Tribalism and Democracy: How Tribal leaders can participate in a democratic Iraq.

2) Islam and Democracy: How the Islamic religion is compatible with democracy and how they can work together for a free and democratic Iraq.

3) Tribalism and Free Elections: How does a tribal leader organize his own election campaign to become a member of the National Parliament?

4) Tribalism and Human Rights: How do the tribal leaders strengthen government institutions in a way that will ensure that human rights will be protected in Iraq?

The first lecture was an amazing experience for me. Trying to explain and teach the concepts of democracy and the role the tribal system should play in this process of democracy. It is hard to judge the impact of my lecture, but many came up after and thanked me personally for my words and expressed their commitment to help establish a democracy in Iraq. It is frustrating that less than 1-2 percent of the Iraqi people are hoping Saddam Hussein will come back and are willing to use terror and violence. American TV covers their activities, but ignores the great majority of the Iraqi people. It is a humbling experience to be here and to help teach these people.

Love,
Jim

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Civic Education Program

The Civic Education program will require that we train some 30-50 Iraqis in each of the five governorates to teach the principles of Democracy to all the members of the local councils, all the staff and officials of the government departments (some 70 in each governorate), all the school teachers in grade, middle and High school, all the university students, women’s associations, doctors, lawyers, journalists, tribal leaders, etc. The topics include the following:

A. Constitutional Government: 1. popular sovereignty, 2. majority rule and minority rights, 3. limited government, 4. institutional and procedural limitations on power, 5. separation and sharing of power, 6. checks and balances, 7. due process of law, 8. leadership succession through elections.

B. Protection of Individual Freedoms: 1. personal freedom: religion, opinion and expression, association, right of privacy, movement, 2. political freedom: speech, press, peaceful assembly, 3. economic freedom: from slavery, right to own property, join labor union, freedom to choose ones work.

C. Legal and Judicial Protections: 1. equality before the law, 2. due process, 3. criminal due process.

And this only part of what we must teach the Iraqis if they are understand what democracy is. This is what we mean by Civic Education. It has been a hard today; I had all my team leaders come to Hillah for a training workshop. We spent the whole day planning for the next four months and what we hope to accomplish. There is so much to do and so little time.

I am enjoying working here, but there are days when it is tough and I really miss and wish I were home. I hope the heat comes on soon, it is really cold. It rains here a lot and makes all the streets like rivers. It is a mess.

Well I need to go to bed; it was a hard day of training.

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The Iraqi Military

I am now giving 1-2 lectures a day on democracy to groups of 50 to 100 people. Today I met with the Veterans Association. Over 67,000 former soldiers and officers in the South Central Region have organized themselves to help protect Iraqi democracy. They need jobs and the government is now starting to respond to them with job training and some help. I gave them a lecture on the role of the military in a democracy and when I finished the director stood up and thanked me for coming to Iraq and promised me that now that Saddam is out of the picture, the soldiers of Iraq are very happy to help in the process of protecting Iraq and our efforts to establish democracy. They are now video taping all my talks and putting them on CDs.

We are busy here. Gary Flake from the Church Humanitarian Department has sent me 14 huge containers, nearly 40 feet long each, full of medical supplies. I will be distributing these next week. Well another busy day and three lectures tomorrow.

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January 12, 2004

Election Preparation – Shaykhs

Another interesting day. We went to al Qassim, a sub district of Babylon where we met with 100 shaykhs and mukhtars to help them set up an election for their local council. There are 17 urban areas and 53 villages in the sub district and they are to elect 100 delegates who will come together to elect a 20 person local council. As you know, we have been focusing in the urban areas of Hillah, but now we are out in the rural areas and it is very interesting.

A Big Present and Special Protection

Well to day I got big present. A $200,000 all bullet proof car because I am the regional director and I have to travel all over the region on a regular basis. The windows are two inches thick; it is completely enclosed with three radios, a siren, built in loud speaker to call for help, and all leather seats. These are built for ambassadors and have special tires that can drive even if hit with a bullet. Now I have been here almost 8 months and never once has anyone shot at me but I have had to wear a thick very heavy, very uncomfortable bullet proof vest. In the 8 months, I never had to use it. Thank goodness. Now I won’t have to wear my vest anymore. They can shoot at me all day and I will be perfectly safe.

I hope you all know that this is simply a precaution. I have never been threatened, I have always felt safe. But the RTI Company has been great to see that I get the very best of what I need. I guess they think I need special protection. They do not know that my protection does not come from a bullet proof Chevrolet Suburban; it comes from the prayers of my family, from a special Spirit that tells me I should be here, that I can make a difference here and that I will be OK.

A Children’s Park and LDS Humanitarian Aid

Another nice thing happened today. We opened up a children’s park with swings, slide, teeter totter, etc. for the little children in our neighborhood. About 60 children came today to play at the American park, as they call it. It was nice to hear the laughter of children in the park next to our villa. The neighbors here are really protective of us and if there is any problem, they will come over and tell us immediately. It is like our own private Iraqi guard system. Don’t let anyone tell you that the Iraqis do not want us here. Everyday I talk to hundreds of Iraqi citizens, teachers, officials, market people, students, doctors, lawyers, business people, women, and many other types of people. It is so sad that the only thing you read is about the few (clearly less than one percent) who would use violence against us, but they get all the publicity and coverage.

Also some 80 containers of medical supplies came into Baghdad today from the LDS Church and they were brought down to distribute throughout South Central Regional. Everybody here is amazed that the LDS Church is the first charity to have brought medical supplies into this region and I am having the newly elected councils out in the neighborhoods and rural district get the opportunity to select which hospitals and clinics in their respective areas will receive these supplies. I pray this may open some doors for the people to learn more about why we are here and how we truly want to help the people of Iraq have a better life.

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Jim forwarded this article by Jim Bramlett of News Behind the News – Nov 17, 2003

Accomplishments So Far . . .

Dear friends:

This is for those who are discouraged at the constant bombardment of negative news about Iraq from the liberal, anti-Bush media and those who just want to be critical for their various reasons.

SINCE PRESIDENT BUSH DECLARED AN END TO MAJOR COMBAT:

On May 1 – The first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty. Over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security to their fellow citizens. Nearly all of Iraq’s 400 courts are functioning. The Iraqi judiciary is fully independent.

By October 1 – Coalition forces had rehabbed over 1,500 schools – 500 more than their target. Teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their former salaries. All 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open. Doctor’s salaries are at least eight times what they were under Saddam. Pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons. The Coalition has helped administer over 22 million vaccination doses to Iraq’s children.

On October 6 – Power generation hit 4,518 megawatts-exceeding the pre-war average. All 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and secondary schools.

A Coalition program has cleared over 14,000 kilometers of Iraq’s 27,000 kilometers of weed-choked canals. They now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women. We have restored over three-quarters of pre-war telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production. There are 4,900 full-service connections. We expect 50,000 by January first.

More Progress

The wheels of commerce are turning. From bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming to life in all major cities and towns. 95 percent of all pre-war bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily. Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses. The central bank is fully independent. Iraq has one of the world’s most growth-oriented investment and banking laws. Iraq (has) a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years.

Satellite dishes are legal. Foreign journalists aren’t on 10-day visas paying mandatory and extortion fees to the Ministry of Information for minders and other government spies. There is no Ministry of Information. There are more than 170 newspapers. You can buy satellite dishes on what seems like every street corner. Foreign journalists and everyone else are free to come and go.

A nation that had not one single element (legislative, judicial or executive) of a representative government does. In Baghdad alone, residents have selected 88 advisory councils. Baghdad’s first democratic transfer of power in 35 years happened when the city council elected its new chairman. Today in Iraq, chambers of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country. 25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq’s history, run the day-to-day business of government.

The Iraqi government regularly participates in international events. Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world.

Shia religious festivals that were all but banned aren’t. For the first time in 35 years, in Karbala thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12th Imam.

The Coalition has completed over 13,000 reconstruction projects, large and small, as part of (a) strategic plan for the reconstruction of Iraq.

Uday and Queasy are dead – and no longer feeding innocent Iraqis to their zoo lions, raping the young daughters of local leaders to force cooperation, torturing Iraq’s soccer players for losing games and murdering critics. Children aren’t imprisoned or murdered when their parents disagree with the government. Political opponents aren’t imprisoned, tortured, executed, maimed, or are forced to watch their families die for disagreeing with Saddam. Millions of longsuffering Iraqis no longer live in perpetual terror.

Outside of Iraq

Saudis will hold municipal elections. Qatar is reforming education to give more choices to parents. Jordan is accelerating market economic reforms. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an Iranian — a Muslim woman who speaks out with courage for human rights, for democracy and for peace.

Saddam is gone. All of this since Iraq was freed. NOT BAD FOR AN ADMINISTRATION: WITH NO PLAN. NO DIRECTION. WAS GOING TO BE SLAUGHTERED GOING INTO BAGDAD. WAS ONLY IN THIS FOR THE OIL.