The ambitions of opposition

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As we embark on a new political era, which we anticipate a lot of it, there are increasing demands to open a new page and give political amnesty for prisoners of conscience or those escaping from justice or those required to serve prison terms, or those we call the ‘opposition’, or those who are gone on record for saying ‘We will not allow you’!

My liberalism, and my credibility with myself, tells my conscience to stand by these people and support the principle of amnesty, albeit conditional. The first condition is these amnestied people must sign a pledge that they will stay away from politics for a ‘few’ years.

My position could have been more sympathetic, but the truth is this so-called opposition, or precisely the one who used the rhetoric ‘We will not allow you’, cannot be considered a representative of the aspirations of many people like me who dream of a free, modern and harmonious nation with human rights.

The majority of the opposition, internal and external, if not all of them, looks for a nation tailored to suit them — their visions and their beliefs. They are conservative to the core, and therefore it is difficult to place any hopes on their promising return and participation in the political process.

Also, the opponents are united by one goal while everything else separates them. Therefore, this opposition cannot be called practical — this opposition has a set of clear goals, a specific leadership, and a well-known political program. This, to me spells danger and cannot be tolerated. This opposition does not guarantee stability or freedom.

The world saw how a majority of the opposition forces in Iran united against the rule of the Shah. After the overthrow of the Shah, the same forces (victorious powers) fought fierce ‘battles’ which resulted in loss of lives and property. Finally the radicals grabbed power and threw Iran back into the embrace of the ‘Middle Ages’ backwardness.

Kuwait is not Iran, nor does Kuwait’s situation resemble that of Tehran. Our situation and our current circumstances resemble the conditions of Iran in 1979. We are proud and happy with our leadership. We do not want to replace our regime with another. Our continuous communication between all parties, including the leadership and people, is rock solid and can overcome any flaws in our democratic system.

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By Ahmad alsarraf

This news has been read 11285 times!