WORLD REPORT EDITION COVER STORY
April 2, 2004
One Year Later
Iraqis have begun to rebuild their country. Will they be ready to take control by June 30?
June 30 could be the beginning of a bright, new day for the people of Iraq. That's when the United States hopes to hand over political control to an Iraqi government. If all goes as planned - and that's a big if - the transition to a free and democratic Iraq will take place 15 months after the U.S.-led invasion began on March 20, 2003. Although coalition forces will remain in the country, the shift of power will be the first step toward a withdrawal of troops.
Last week, Paul Bremer, the chief U.S. administrator in Iraq, told Iraqi leaders that the country was "on the path to full democracy." Bremer listed the nation's achievements since the removal of its leader, Saddam Hussein: The Iraqi governing council has signed a transitional constitution that guarantees basic rights for all citizens, a larger security force has been created, and more than 2,500 schools have been rebuilt.
Despite this progress, there are serious concerns about the transfer of power. Iraq is far from stable. Many Iraqis resent the presence of foreign soldiers. Attacks continue on military and civilian targets. Nearly 600 U.S. troops, about 100 foreign soldiers and 10,000 Iraqis have been killed in the past year.
Although Iraq's economy is improving, many Iraqis are unemployed. Doctors must use outdated medical equipment. Schools don't have enough supplies. To some Iraqis, many of the past year's changes seem trivial. "We benefit only from the satellite TV and the Pepsi-Cola," Salman Abed Jasim, a security guard in the town of Hilla, told TIME.
CREATING A UNITED IRAQ
The main issue facing Iraq is whether the nation's different ethnic and religious groups will be able to work together peacefully. The temporary constitution calls for a three-person presidency. The positions will most likely be divided among a Shiite, a Sunni and a Kurd.
Although the majority of Iraqis are Muslim, they are divided into two groups, Shiites and Sunnis. The nation's Sunni and Shiite Muslims have a long history of tension and violence.
No matter their differences, most Iraqis share a desire for peace. "When we are Iraqis, not Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds or Arabs - when we call ourselves Iraqis," a former Iraqi army general told TIME, "then we will be ready for a democracy."
COUNTDOWN TO INDEPENDENCE
Today, Iraqis enjoy freedoms that were once denied. Teachers no longer need to praise Hussein in their lessons. People can now buy products that were previously banned, and the Internet is widely available.
Still, Iraqis face an uphill battle. The governing council needs to appoint leaders to take power on June 30. The next big step is set to happen by January 2005. That's the target date for general elections. "We're moving at rocket speed," says council member Mouwaffak al-Rubaie. "The counting down has started."
THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ
Shiites make up a majority of the population of Iraq. But during the rule of Saddam Hussein, who is a Sunni, Shiites had little say in the country's government. Kurds, an ethnic minority, also suffered under Hussein. Now, these groups have to begin to work together.
Ethnic Groups:
Arab
80%
Kurdish 15%
Other 5%
Religious Groups:
Shiite Muslim 60%
Sunni Muslim 37%
Christian and other 3%
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/magazines/story/0,6277,605685,00.html