Will history agree with George W. Bush? It is his policy of democratization in Iraq, launched seven years ago after the fall of Saddam Hussein, that is being imposed, with election after election coming, despite serious initial strategic errors. This weekend, the Iraqis have once again rallied themselves to vote, despite al-Qaida intimidation (38 deaths in attacks). The Sunni minority, abstaining up until now, has now taken to the polls. Initial surveys suggest that Islamist parties will be in decline. As Adrien Jaulmes, Figaro's special envoy to Baghdad, wrote this Monday: "The American invasion and the installation of a new regime has propelled the country into a democratic system without parallel in the Arab world, if we exclude the particular case of Lebanon." However, the media in general is being careful not to recognize the origin of this success, which goes against its sheep-like, anti-Bush analysis. Having been one of those who supported the American strategy in 2003, I am enjoying this success all the more, even if the situation is still far from perfect. The Iraqi Christians' lot remains an appalling one. To those who feel that there exists an incompatibility between Islam and democracy, year upon year the Iraqis are bringing a cry of denial, joined by the hopes of many Iranians for liberty. In the last few days, television reports have shown electoral posters of Iraqi candidates for the legislative elections, photographed without their veils (is Olivier Besancenot aware of his regression when he defends his candidate who wears a veil?). For my part, I remember the absolute insistence of these numerous commentators who assured us that a democracy does not force its way into being (despite the examples of Japan or Germany) and that resorting to force can only consolidate terrorism. The followers of "soft-power," such as France's new, high-ranking appease-niks, remain ready to temporize before this new "Islamo-Fascism," as Bush and the neoconservatives describe it. If the anti-war brigade had had their way, democracy would not have come into being in Iraq.
