Saddam's win a sham

Millions of Iraqis went to the polls yesterday and voted overwhelmingly to give their internationally-reviled president, Saddam Hussein, another seven years in power.

It was the first time Saddam had put his leadership to the public test and followed weeks of mass celebrations, processions and a media blitz trumpeting what Iraqi officials called a "historic step forward toward democracy."

Thousands of political leaders, journalists and celebrities gathered to witness the event, but, in the end, it was widely understood the result of the referendum meant nothing.

The almost unanimous endorsement garnered by Saddam speaks little of his personal popularity or leadership skills but much about his ability to incite fear.

The object of the ballot seems to have been to show the world that Saddam has the support of his people despite five years of crippling UN sanctions and recent defections from his inner circle that have prompted speculation that his grip on power is slipping.

Ironically, the unquestioning show of support is only likely to cement an already pervasive view of the Iraqi leader as a tyrannical ruler and harden resolve to maintain sanctions.

Since he came to power 16 years ago Saddam has overseen the ruin of Iraq, once one of the richest and most powerful countries in the Middle East.

Diplomatically isolated, with enemies at every border and split in two by a Kurdish revolt, the country is now home to a cowed population of 20 million people, many of them poor and hungry.

Reports emerging from Baghdad tell of friction within the ruling family over money and the rising power of Saddam's eldest son Uday and of increasing dissidence within the armed forces. "In a region where rulers have traditionally lived by the sword, and died by it, supposedly democratic referendums like yesterdays have little bearing on the dynamics of power. If anything they are probably more indicative of how desperate Saddam's position has become.

-- The Nation, Bangkok