Editorial: Roots of democracy in Iraq

Friday, Dec. 16, 2005 | 7:48 a.m.

It was awe-inspiring on Thursday to see images of Iraqis bravely going to vote in spite of the violence and terrorist threats against them as they sought to exercise this most basic of human rights. Apparently the Sunnis, who for the most part stayed home during the last election, went to the polls this time.

"I boycotted the elections in January and I've realized the mistake," Abdulla Omar Azeez, an engineer from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk north of Baghdad, told The New York Times. "I came today with my family to contribute in choosing a strong and wise leadership that will stand up to terrorism and sectarian and ethnic discrimination."

In a country and a region of the world where democracy isn't practiced outside of Israel, Friday's voting does serve as a symbol of hope. No matter what views one has today about U.S. military involvement in Iraq, that people are freely voting is something people everywhere should celebrate.

Nonetheless, just as the vote in January to elect an interim Parliament in Iraq didn't result in peace -- the violence has actually escalated -- no one should be deluded into believing that this latest vote will result in the insurgency laying down its arms. A related issue regarding stability is how quickly Iraq's armed forces and police will be able to stand on their own and quell the insurgency without U.S. military assistance. It also should be noted that another key for success is whether the politically warring factions in Iraq will be able to co-exist and work together to create a unified nation.

Ultimately, it will be the coming months -- and more likely years -- before we have a better idea whether Iraq can survive in peace as a democratic nation.