Iraqi politicians want to learn from Indonesia

Iraqi politicians want to learn from Indonesia

Agencies, Jakarta/Surabaya

A delegation of visiting Iraqi politicians said on Friday that elections in their violence-wracked country should go ahead in January as planned, and that Indonesia's transition to democracy from dictatorship was a good model for Iraq.

"Many of the problems here are the same," said Saad Abdal Gadir, from the Iraqi Islamic Party. "We are here to look and learn."

Indonesia and Iraq are both Muslim countries that endured years of authoritarian regime. Indonesians kicked Soeharto regime out in 1998 and next week will directly elect a president for the first time in their history.

The visit by 10 representatives of various Iraqi political parties is being sponsored by the Washington-based International Republican Institute, a nonprofit group that promotes democracy.

"We see that democratic steps are taking place here and due to this we are confident that democracy in Iraq will find its way," said Redha Taki, from the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

To be sure, there are differences in the Indonesian and Iraqi experiences, not least the fact that U.S. forces deposed Iraq's ex-dictator Saddam Hussein and still occupy the country 18 months on.

Iraq's move to democracy is being hampered by a bloody insurgency waged by Islamic militants, Saddam loyalists and nationalist fighters that shows no sign of stopping.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that he feared the continued insecurity in Iraq would likely block elections slated for January.

All members of the visiting Iraqi delegation in Jakarta insisted that the polls could take place as planned despite the violence.

"Delaying the election will affect everyone's credibility," said Saad Jasim, from the Iraqi Democratic Movement.

Indonesia has been cited as a rare example of a functioning Islamic democracy -- something the Iraqi politicians said could also be replicated in their own nation, which is surrounded by authoritarian regimes.

"Islam as a faith does not at all contradict with democracy," said Hasan Hassoun, from the Islamic Democratic Trend. "Both can work together in a harmonious way."

In Surabaya, two observers from Iraq were visiting East Java to monitor the election in Pasuruan district, Antara news agency reported on Thursday.

Jamil of Iraqi Women's Rights and Faisal Jasem of the National Election Center sought background information on the way in which Indonesia conducted the election in the district, which has often been affected by political conflict, according to Nur Hidayat of the People's Political Education Network (JPPR).

"After getting some information about the implementation of elections in the country, particularly from some competent institutions like the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) and others, they are now visiting Pasuruan," Hidayat said.

The two Iraqis, who arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, were registered as observers with the KPU's office in East Java

They were accompanied by Dedy Sitorus of Indonesia's National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), a nonprofit organization promoting democracy worldwide, and Arif Budiman, an interpreter.

Hidayat said the Iraqi observers were keen to learn about the election at district level to prepare for their own election next year.

"At least 12 Iraqi poll watchers are visiting the country, However two of them will monitor the election in East Java and the others in four other provinces," he said.