COMMENTS FROM UN, PEACE ACTIVISTS, CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS AND OTHERS

“ This is worth trying. The UN has no mandate for regime change and cannot initiate this or host it, but if the Iraquis initiate this process, we might get involved at a later date. It is important that the process be as representative as possible. Your suggestion that the establishment of a transitional government perceived as legitimate can only be achieved via a broad-based transparent constitutional assembly seems obvious.“

“This project is unique. It sounds really great. It stands out among the other groups and is quite complementary. I hope we can support it. I see no political problem with it”

“ This is a real good idea; it needs to be heavily explored”.

“ The proposal of preemptive democracy sounds like a good idea and I think it should be explored on a high level“.

“ I really do like your idea of "Preemptive Democracy" to affect regime change in Iraq. This is a nonpartisan alternative that has not been discussed so far in the debate for or against war in Iraq. Your idea might require the use of force in the end, but not as much as would be needed without "Preemptive Democracy".

As I understand it, the concept is based on the idea that the power of Saddam Hussein rests on the legitimacy given him by the recognition of governments and the acceptance of world public opinion. Your suggestion to use the standard techniques for creating a constitutional democracy to immediately create a new legitimate and democratic Iraqi government-in-exile could be supported widely by governments and public opinion, in the US, Europe and the Arab world. As long as - as you propose - that constitutional process would be transparent and open to the world media, the new Iraqi government could gain recognition as the rightful representative of Iraq in the eyes of the Arab world and of the Iraqi people themselves. This would completely change the political and psychological dynamics of the situation and facilitate regime change.

A definite advantage is that the plan could be supported by both US liberals and conservatives, and even by President Bush's key strategist on Iraq, Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense (see cover story of NY Times magazine of Sunday 22-09-2002). Though he is described as very hawkish, he has promoted the vision of Iraq as the "first Arab democracy" and is open to intellectually sound ideas.

Your concept also fits in with some of my ideas:
- that Saddam Hussein should be indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It would be better to avoid the impression of victor's justice, which a new democratic Iraqi government could do, even if it were still in exile.
- that the end of creating a democratic Iraq is more likely to succeed if the means are compatible with the ends.
I encourage you to develop the concept of Preemptive Democracy.”

"Your idea is a must. It needs to be implemented immediately because we
need a legitimate government for Iraq right now. It will prevent the
flourishing of terrorism, and the probability of terrorist acts will be
heavily reduced. A legitimate Iraqi government will take away the
justification for terrorist acts from military occupation."