9.5 |
June 2006 to 27 June 2007
640.
At the end of
February, at the request of Mr McDonald, Dr Marsden produced
an
account of
what life was like for ordinary Basrawis:
“For most
people, life in Basra is still grim … Modest improvements in their
quality of
life pale
against a backdrop of militia intimidation, official corruption and
inadequate
basic
services …
“Violence
and lawlessness are the overwhelming concern of Basrawis.
Although
life under
Saddam was harsh, people often say that at least they knew where
they
stood. Now,
life is less predictable and people are retreating behind the
traditional
defences of
family and tribe. In polling, 95 percent said they felt a degree of
safety
in their
immediate neighbourhood but only 30 percent felt safe further
afield. Many
Basrawis
tell us ‘Before 2003, there was one Saddam to fear. Now there
are
thousands
of Saddams.’
“Women are
increasingly afraid … to leave the house, fearing kidnap,
harassment or
sexual
violence … After sunset most people desert the streets, stay home
and watch
TV …
Threats and intimidation are an everyday occurrence …
“After the
lack of security, unemployment is the most commonly cited
problem.
Polling
indicates that only about 30 percent of Basrawis are currently
employed …
“Asked what
is the greatest improvement since the fall of the regime, many
Shia
cite the
freedom to travel to shrines in Iran. However, perceptions of
freedom differ
depending
on the … individual.”335
641.
Dr Marsden
reported that polling data suggesting Basrawis had a positive
attitude
towards the
police and wanted the MNF to leave was difficult to evaluate since
people
were afraid
to complain about the police or militia, or to support the MNF, in
front of
individuals
they did not know.
642.
Although there
was an “undeniable sense of desperation and gloom in Basra”
the
report also
said:
“The better
off can enjoy new consumer goods and the novelty of the freedom
to
travel
outside Iraq. Women enjoy more political rights and there is an
embryonic civil
society
movement. Many Sunni families who left Basra last year have now
returned.
There are
some signs of growth in the local economy and public sector
salaries
have
steadily increased.”
335
Letter
Marsden to McDonald, 28 February 2007, ‘Basra: Everyday Life for
Ordinary Iraqis’.
119