8-31-05, 1:10 pm
In an interview with “Al-Arabiya” satellite TV channel, about the catastrophic bridge stampede today in Baghdad that killed hundreds of Iraqi citizens while participating in a religious procession, the Iraqi Communist Party leader Mr. Hameed Majid Mousa said that “evil elements and terrorists want to deny the people their freedom to conduct their religious ceremonies, and also to carry out more acts of sabotage and spread fear among citizens.”
Mousa blamed what happened on “the poor security and political conditions, and the bad administration of such big religious events”. He said that “early security measures should have been taken to protect the lives of citizens and organise their processions. What happened is an indication of irresponsible attitude by the relevant authorities. We all know that there are terrorists who lie in wait for such events and prepare to ambush the people. Why is it that no preventive measures were taken before the event? Why are the processions not organised?”.
He pointed out that “the responsibility also lies on those who are organising these processions. They should make the people aware of administrative aspects of the religious procession, and ensure proper schemes for marching in order to prevent stampede and chaos. This is a big tragedy, and we speak about it with deep pain. We wish that it never happens again in future events”.
In response to a question about the efforts of the Iraqi Communist Party to enhance Iraqi people’s unity in the face of attempts to split their ranks, Mousa said that “our efforts are broad and multifarious, on all fronts, to close ranks, overcome old problems, open up a new page for the Iraqi people, consolidate ties of brotherhood and the sense of citizenship and equality among citizens, against sectarianism and sectarian bigotry, against terrorism and terrorists. We strive in all fields, whether in the National Assembly, or in relations with political parties of all tendencies, to promote the spirit of citizenship, upholding national unity and the freedom of the citizen.”
