European Union foreign ministers meeting in London have endorsed a European Commission pledge of 200m euros ($236m) to rebuild Iraq. In addition, the UK has promised an extra �300m in addition to the �200m it has already committed.
However, these figures are only a tiny proportion of the $55bn that the World Bank says is needed to rebuild the country
In addition, countries such as France and Germany which opposed the war are thought to be reluctant to make any major contribution.
Will this additional funding help the Iraqis rebuild their country? Should more money be donated? Can companies be persuaded to invest in Iraq?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The comments published reflect the balance of views received.
At first I said to myself I think the matter will be better after vanishing of Saddam's era but now I feel big disappointment and found all America promises are fake because many people feel unhappy and confusing when you see the same member of Saddam's followers came back to take place in new government and practice the same procedure to run the sensitive location we did nothing! Just replacement on the coins face..
Rasha, Iraq - Baghdad
The rebuilding of Iraq should NOT be the responsibility of the US and the European Union nations, but MORE the responsibility of Islamic nations worldwide. To shirk such financial responsibility is like a mother throwing away her baby into the orphanage! Those nations like Malaysia and other Islamic nations who TALK MUCH about the plight and sufferings of the Iraqi people now should donate millions of dollars to help Iraq, instead of pushing such responsibility to US and the EU. Hypocrites are the nations who only talk and condemn the US invasion but DO NOTHING now to help to rebuild Iraq into a " Democratic society, based on justice and equality, regardless of race, language or religion, so as to achieve peace and prosperity" for Iraq!
James Zhang, SINGAPORE
It's the responsibility of the whole world to see into the plight Iraq is in, so it would be advisable to persuade the companies to invest.
Faisal, India
As Margaret Mitchell pointed out in "Gone With The Wind", there is more money to be made in the destruction of a civilisation than in building it up. In the same way, the current state of Iraqi insecurity probably has quite a lot of opportunity. However, when it comes to rebuilding the country, I think it is time we cut our losses, as the Iraqis have demonstrated that all they intend to do with the money is use it to wage wars against other factions. If we are not careful, Iraq will turn into an embarrassing financial black hole like the Millennium Dome.
Graeme Phillips, Germany, normally UK I came to read in this column that many people are saying that US/UK is spending that and this much for Iraq now. For their information I want to say that during the 1st Gulf war all that expenses spend by US/UK was given by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Now considering this war, if the US/UK has spend anything for Iraq surely they will be recollecting that amount from the oil field of Iraq, so please don't go on the debate that US/UK are spending that much for Iraq.
Ashik SK, India
I imagine to multinational corporations with their emphasis on the bottom line, Iraq would seem like a great opportunity to expand their interests. The sanctions imposed on Iraq over the past years have probably held them back. Apart from their own self interest, they would provide much needed jobs to the Iraqis, which in itself would go a long way to helping them regain their self esteem.
M. Clark, UK/US
If the situation in Iraq is as good as some Americans said in this column, well done, I think your great country can continue your good work without outside help. For us, no thank you, we have our problems to deal with.
Steve Cheung, Hong Kong
I am tired of the comments like "in the past the US helped dictators and such"; Well, during that particular historical moment, in US perspective, it was the most logical thing to do given the other choices (like communism advance, etc). The US also knew when it was the right time to stop supporting them. Iraqis could not have toppled Saddam alone; the security was too tight for ordinary civilians to carry it out. As for its reconstruction, I agree, that only US/UK with Iraqis should do it. I'd rather not owe one penny to the EU.
J R, USA
No. America must leave before Iraqis take it to decide themselves who should be invited and who should not. That is their basic right. It need not be the American right.
Anis Mohiuddin, India
If countries such as Germany and France were not willing to accept responsibility for helping the people of Iraq in the beginning, why would they accept responsibility now that the hard work has to be done? My intuition tells me that, despite the many dangers associated with it, they want to see the coalition fail, and they will continue to work for that.
Jon Jannicola, NYC, USA
 |  It is typical of our racist world view to think they need our help to reconstruct  |
The cart is before the horse here. At the moment Iraqi State assets are American war booty and until ownership of these assets is returned to the Iraqi people by way of a representative Government owning them no honest investment can take place. Actually, the Iraqis don't need any help to rebuild, other than peace, honest government and ownership of the petroleum revenues. It is typical of our racist world view to think they need our help to reconstruct. They are descendent of the Sumerians and other famous civilizations and were building cities when we were living in huts.
Kathy Jones, UK Hold on! Iraq has massive oil reserves. The estimated $55bn is a tiny drop in Iraq's ocean of oil. The country should be self-financing from the outset, not queuing up to drink from the European financial trough.
C. Hunter, England
It was Saddam's implementation of the Oil for Food programme that caused most Iraqi hardship: his syphoning of millions of dollars to pay for palaces and weapons programs while the Iraqi suffered as a consequence, etc. etc. Saddam used the sanctions as a way to maintain power, and that is the basis on which to criticise the UN sanctions programme. For some life will be worse, for others (the greater majority, I would think) life will be different, not necessarily better but perhaps not worse, but certainly with the possibility of it getting better, something that would never have happened under Saddam.
RJH, England
To RJH, England: Saddam didn't run the oil-for-food program. The program was run by the UN and monies were paid for by the UN. People should also remember that Iraq is still paying billions of dollars a year to wealthy Kuwait as reparations for the Iraqi invasion. Isn't it time, Kuwait waived these repayments?
Mark W, Dublin, Ireland
The EU ministers should stand back and let the coalition foot the bill. This kind of financial impairment on the coalition nations might be enough to stop them from doing it again. It is not our (EU) responsibility to pay for a US foreign policy that is motivated by oil and stinks of hypocrisy in the Arab world. If the neo-conservatives in the US stand back and let UN lead the administration in Iraq - then EU ministers can give the World Bank appeal for money some serious consideration.
Steven, Scotland, UK
| The biggest barrier to direct foreign investment in Iraq is the international media's lack of attention on anything good |
As an international businessman and faculty member at a major university I can say that businesses could be persuaded to invest in Iraq. I speak regularly with people that are in Iraq (both U.S. military and NGO personnel) and they all say that things are getting better - though slowly. The biggest barrier to direct foreign investment in Iraq is the international media's lack of attention on anything good. The press is intent upon only reporting the bad, and that can only hurt peace and the Iraqi people.
Stephen Gould, USA Perhaps more countries would be willing to help if the contracts were not already awarded to American companies. Why should countries like France and Germany pour money into Iraq when they opposed the war, just to see it siphoned off to the US? If the whole process had been more transparent, perhaps the world would have responded differently.
Neil, Europe
As an Iraqi, I find it amusing how everyone except the Iraqi people is debating about what should be done for the good of our country. I say to you now rest of the world - let us Iraqis decide what is best for our country. Thank you.
Fahd Nizam-ud-din, Baghdad, Iraq
I am sick of Americans carping on about how they invaded Iraq for the benefit of the Iraqi people. This is patently not true because the USA has explicitly said that they needed to remove Saddam for their own self-interest because he was a threat to them. When the US stops behaving solely for its own self-interest then others can be expected to help it financially.
Ahsan D, U.K.
I would like to pose this question to the UN: Should brutal dictatorships be tolerated in this day? It seems that countries like France and Germany, with their histories of failed conquest, have no qualms about protecting and doing business with them.
Grant Jones, USA
Grant Jones: Only the people of Iraq have the right to topple their dictator.Now what is happening in Iraq - the country is in a mess created by the so-called American liberators. Shame on the Americans. You must admit that you have made a real blunder. Given a second chance I don't think you will dare to venture into war in Iraq again. I challenge Bush to declare war with countries which he branded as the axis of evils now. He has learned a very bitter and expensive lesson. Yes, he does not feel regret openly but deep inside his heart he must have regretted so much.
Kamarudin, Malaysia
To Grant Jones, USA : Don't forget all that your great country did for Saddam and the Taleban in the past (weapons, chemicals, etc), and is still doing for various dictators in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and others in Central America, as well as Pakistan, etc., etc. It still seems as if there are good dictators and bad dictators for the US.
JFM, UK
| Whoever broke it should pay for it to be fixed! |
Whoever broke it should pay for it to be fixed! The US and UK should pay to get Iraq on its feet, the way it was before the invasion and establish the Iraqi government. Then let the new government pay for modernization or whatever other projects they deem necessary!
Farhad Radmehrian, USA I think the ENTIRE world needs to work together to rebuild Iraq, as well as work together to build a productive country for Palestines. The nations and countries that have much should all help those that do not. It does not matter what is past, only what is tomorrow matters. We, in the USA know in our hearts that Iraq is getting better every day, and we also know that we needs the worlds help to make it secure. I think France and Germany should play a major role in Iraq, they are our allies, and will continue to be our allies. We should also leave Iraq as soon as they have a government, and the country is secure. They want to shape their own destiny. They have lived under repression for so many years, and now have the opportunity to form their country.
Elaine, USA
Did the majority want to go to war? No! Yet the UK and US Governments were more than keen to go without the backing of the world. Now that they are finding it more expensive than they could possibly imagine they are whining to the rest of the world for financial help to rebuild the infrastructure they smashed! The US only awarded contracts to US companies, let them foot the whole bill, they started this mess.
Duncan, UK
I find it quite absurd that many nations (e.g. France, Russia) were willing to do billions of dollars worth of business with Saddam but would not invest in a free Iraq. Yes the USA and UK helped Saddam against Iran, but the USA and UK also accepted the responsibility of removing Saddam and building Iraq from scratch. Tens of billions have already been pledged by the USA and UK, where are the moralists now? It is clear that they were more concerned with Bush-bashing than with making the world a better place.
Michael, United States
| Life is better there now because the people of Iraq have a genuine chance at true peace and freedom |
As a direct result of most of the western world living in a "fast food culture" it is expected for Iraq to be rebuilt in 6 months. It will take much longer to reverse the damage done under the Saddam regime. Life is better there now because the people of Iraq have a genuine chance at true peace and freedom, not the pseudo-peace once observed in Iraq.
Dave, USA The dilemma faced by the EEU is that the invasion of Iraq was an act of colonialism in the first instance. That taint has not been cured by subsequent events. Chirac and Schroeder are right to deal with the present. However, if they [and/or the EEU] join in investing in Iraq, while it is under US control, they will effectively join in the colonialism. This could have adverse, long term consequences for the EEU and the rule of law in international affairs.
Jim Hopewell, USA
Companies invest into what they find worthwhile - at their own risk. When it comes to public money, however, governments have the duty to make sure that this money is not used to buy support against their people's interest. This already happens quite too often when the US government leverages European money via the IMF or World Bank to serve their unilateral interest.
Andreas, Germany
I would prefer it if the EU doesn't contribute a single euro. Those countries in Europe which actually care about the wellbeing of the Iraqi people will help out individually and many have already such as Poland, GB, Hungary, Bulgaria, and many others. Those such as France which are more concerned with undermining the USA and couldn't care less about the Iraqi people should be kept out of Iraq, their meddling is not welcomed by either the coalition or the Iraqi people (except for the Saddam cronies and other murderers who would love for France to play a prominent role). As an American I would happily have America take on the full $55 billion to rebuild Iraq much like America took on the far more expensive task of rebuilding Europe after WWII. Maybe France should pay back some of that Marshall Plan money so it can be used to rebuild Iraq, the same goes for Germany too.
Phil, USA
| The best thing that the US/UK can do is to keep focused on rebuilding the infrastructure |
Companies have a very simple set of decision-making criteria all based around risk vs return. These vary from company to company. As long as the risks to their people, property, investments are higher than the likely return nothing much will happen. As soon as a the balance tips they'll be happy to invest their own resources and move into the area. The best thing that the US/UK can do is to keep focused on rebuilding the infrastructure and (especially) eliminating the security threat area by area across the country. This is now the main thing preventing companies from wanting to work in Iraq. Compared to this the piddling amounts the EU is considering are irrelevant to most companies.
John R Smith, UK The US and UK are responsible for the anarchy and damage in Iraq, and therefore should pay for reparation. No foreign companies should be allowed to profit from reconstruction, or from oil revenue.
David Russell, France
In my opinion all those countries that invested in the Iraqi-Iranian war and helped the previous regime to build his army, and helped him to start his weapon program, should pay most of the bill for rebuilding a peaceful prosperous Iraq.
Louay Al-Tahan, Baghdad, Iraq
Any company that invests in Iraq would be extremely foolish. It's not even safe for the coalitions council members. So how can it be safe for investors? Everything in the rebuilding of Iraq is stalemate by the US who wants total control of the oil to bail out its economy. Until the UN gets, not the US, gets control of Iraq it will continue to be a sinking ship.
John Guzowski, USA
Nobody should invest in Iraq until the US agrees to UN terms--meaning that they agree to a UN force and get out ASAP. Once the USA is out, sufficient stability will return so that real reconstruction can begin. France, Germany--don't cop out with a no-vote! Veto until your terms are met - the USA has no option but to eventually capitulate.
John Wendt, Uganda
There are thousands of companies already doing business in the Middle East who are standing by, waiting for the situation in Iraq to stabilise before investing there. The EU should seriously consider using the miserable 200 million euros as the basis of a fund which would "insure" investments made by (EU) companies in the interim.
John Parker, France
| Let's walk before we can run |
Money should not be given as such. Building materials, education aids and medicine skilled people should be deployed to make it all feasible. If money is thrown around, there will be black markets, gangland wars and the possible corruption of state officials. Let's walk before we can run on this one. Look what happened in Russia.
Doug, UK It's understandable the UN and EU will be helping a certain amount, but the UK and USA should pay most of, if not all, the money required to rebuild Iraq. Then again, friends of those high position ministers in both countries will most probably get the jobs and earn more billions from what they put in. Sad world we live in today.
Edmund, Sweden
No, not before US and UK troops are pulled out from there. Europe shouldn't participate in letting anyone steal resources belonging to the Iraqi people.
Tom, Finland
Many of the correspondents here seem not to have looked further than the pages of the nearest tabloid for their stories of doom and gloom in Iraq. If you do a bit of surfing you can find more information about the good things that are happening than is currently being broadcast by the UK's mainstream media. Stories about schools, markets, hospitals opening, power being restored, peace on the streets etc etc. But this is all happening away from Baghdad where all the reporters have based themselves. This doesn't fit with what some news organisations want to have us believe. Trust no-one, go and see what you good news can find, you'll be surprised.
John R Smith, UK
I live in Iran and from my point of view the situation in Iraq has improved and will improve, and we see that the visitors of holy sites from Iran now can go more easily and they say that everything is so cheap in Iraq. Anyway, I think that this country was lucky having a conqueror like USA.
Frahad Goodarzi, Iran
It is obvious to the world that the American governing classes have failed in their duty to protect the Iraqi people and the coalition soldiers in post-Saddam Iraq. For this reason, many Americans demand that George Bush hand over control of Iraq to the United Nations, with the guarantee that the US will cover the full costs required to rebuild Iraq. Mr. Bush must forget about imposing his radical economic ideology onto the backs of the Iraqi people, and he must find some other way to reward his corporate campaign donors.
Rita Wiltsie, USA
| the attack by US and UK forces completely unravelled any tenuous elements of civic order and stability |
One hesitates to make a glib comparison, but the line always went that Mussolini use to keep the trains on time in wartime Italy; hence Saddam provided some services to Iraqis that are no longer functional. This is not to endorse the reign of Saddam at all; yet it must be remembered that Iraq's infrastructure, already frayed by years of sanctions and Saddam's mismanagement, caused acute suffering for Iraqis. But the attack by US and UK forces completely unravelled any tenuous elements of civic order and stability; witness the disastrous state of power outages in some areas for months. The most difficult aspect is that many Iraqis expected the Americans and British to achieve more and to treat them with respect; neither has happened. So you can conclude that things are not better. The fact that there is widespread discontent among the people of Iraq underscores that things are not going well.
Murton Edelstein, USA
No, just read the reports and watch the reports on how US troops threat innocent civilians there when they do their raids to find these Iraq fighters. How would American people feel if they were threatened in the same way their soldiers threats Iraq civilians!
Tom, Finland
No - the UK and USA haven't even tried to make things better for the people of Iraq, it was never their intention as events have proven, why would people in Iraq want USA's soldiers in their country, Bush is no better than Saddam, after all, the USA put Saddam in power and sponsored him to invade Iran, cars in USA do 20mpg and fuel is cheap, that's the driving force behind all this suffering.
Malc, England
| While life under Saddam was bad, it's worse under the Coalition forces |
While life under Saddam was bad, it's worse under the Coalition forces. Power and water shortages, bombings, killings, looting etc is on the increase no matter what the Americans say. I have met up with some Iraqis who have returned recently from Baghdad and believe me things are bad. Let's face it no one would like to under Saddam and neither under an occupying force.
Arif Sayed, Dubai, UAE How can life be better? Most of the pro-war lobby claims that listen to the people of Iraq and they will tell you if they are happy or not. Well only yesterday 10,000 Iraqis (a modest estimate) demonstrated against US occupation. What's more is they were all SHIA, anti-Saddam. When will the US and its supporters stop terrorising and let Iraq be Iraq?
Ramsden, UK
There is no doubt that life if better for the Iraqi people post Saddam. But the job is not finished. The US, and hopefully with its allies, must complete their mission until a politically stable government is in place.
Al, Brussels
Life has not improved, it has only changed from one kind of terror to another. Yes Saddam should have been removed but at the will of the Iraqi people, not at the will of our government with it's politically motivated oil interests.
Michael Moroney, USA
Yes, life is better. The people of Iraq don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing and ending up in a torture chamber or dead anymore. But things are far from perfect. I still think the war on Iraq was a complete waste of American money and lives. We wasted a lot of money and lives on something that was at best a very tangential threat to the security of the United States and its allies.
Tony, United States
| Better to stick it out and work towards a better tomorrow for Iraq |
If the US pulled out today, as many want, Iraq would be faced with a return to Saddam or utter chaos. Not a very nice choice. Better to stick it out and work towards a better tomorrow for Iraq.
Shane, USA In order to determine if life is better in Iraq, one must consider the two ways of living. In the days of Saddam, Iraqis had order, police, and a code of living yet they lived in fear and oppression. Now, Iraqis have freedom with chaos, thievery, war, but with new institutions. It's a hard choice to make which kind of life was better.
Nomar Garciapara, Boston, USA
I don't know as I don't live in Iraq. However it does seem even from this distance that no one could plead ignorance of the quantity of reconstruction needed after so many years of war and sanctions and yet the occupation forces seem woefully unprepared. It's also worrying that the financial institutions, and the major industries have been sold off to non-Iraqi companies in a way that no other country would allow. Are we bringing to Iraq social, religious, and political freedom but also poverty and financial slavery?
James Scobbie, Scotland
The only honest answer to this question can be answered by the Iraqi people themselves. The impression I get from watching interviews from Iraqi citizens is that they are grateful to be free from Saddam's grip, but disappointed that the US hasn't done more to rebuild things.
George Arndt, USA
Yesterday, Bush said, "Who can possibly think that the world would be better off with Saddam Hussein still in power? How about the innocent Iraqis killed so far and the ones who will be killed while the war after the war continues.
James Ahlquist, USA
| it can only be described as organised chaos |
I'm sure the people of Iraq do not feel better off, I personally cannot judge as I've never been and the media/government only allow you to see what they want you to see. But the TV Pictures do say one thing, disorganisation. Hopefully one day the Iraqi people will thank the US and UK for what they have done, but just now it can only be described as organised chaos.
Yvonne, UK Hard to tell without actually being there. But, I predict it will get much worse. The Shias are already getting fed up with the American occupation. These are the very people who had most to gain from Saddam's removal. Then there is the problem with the Turkish troops coming in and the opposition of the Kurds to this move. I just hope that it does not escalate into Civil war.
Shelly, UK
The Iraqi people cannot accept US Military Occupation. The best way to make Iraq better is for the UN to take over the responsibility of reconstruction and transition... The US cannot continue to bleed - both physically and financially resulting from their UNILATERAL adventure in Iraq.
Eliseo Mercado, OMI, Italy
No infrastructure, not enough food, no jobs, occupying forces ruling the country. Life has not improved one iota for the Iraqi people.
Kev, England
NO, and leads to be never position as the security situation getting worse and the immediate step is to just give the control to the Iraqi people and for the purpose, let the UN to have the central role.
Robert, UK
| The quality of life would appear to have taken a nose-dive for these people |
I wonder how one can see the situation as improved. Family members can disappear, America having chosen to discard it's own constitution (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Amendment rights). 60% unemployment, random suicide bombings, basic services like electricity and water living up to their name. Turkish troops being introduced in the north of the country - which largely ignores the Kurdish opinion. Iraq seems to have swapped on dictatorship for another. The quality of life would appear to have taken a nose-dive for these people. Still they can look forward to the introduction of American culture - I wonder how many McDonalds restaurants it takes to justify this foolishness...
Paul Johns, Belgium I wonder how many of us sitting at home watching the wonderful Memorial Service from St.Pauls Cathedral this morning were in tears for what has happened? Life has made me a bit too 'hard-bitten' for tears but cry I did this morning for all the misery and carnage which has been needlessly created. Will the people in Iraq have been able to see this service? I do hope so.
Joyce, United Kingdom
Shame on the Americans who cannot really liberate Iraq after six months of occupying illegally. They might as well get out if they cannot fulfil their obligation to stabilise Iraq into a democratic independent and sovereign country. I think if they were to stay even for another six years, they would not be able to achieve anything except misery to Iraq people and the continuing death of their soldiers from 375 as of today times by next six years.
Kamarudin, Malaysia
| The freedom gained by expression of opinion and desire for a better life is still a distance |
I am afraid six months on after the declared end of the war in Iraq life is insecure and the freedom gained by expression of opinion and desire for a better life is still a distance wish like a mirage. Although Saddam was a dictator with a brutal regime, the Iraqis had a life despite sanctions and embargoes. America must be prepared to share the burden of governance under the UN umbrella otherwise have themselves to blame.
Solomon Ezobi, UK I am in regular contact with my parents in Baghdad. They tell me that they are scared of leaving the house. Their food is brought in by a relative who uses taxis, not his own car as he is scared of being stopped by thugs. When my elderly parents tell me it is safe for them to go out I will believe it is safe. Till then I don't care what others say.
Ziad Al-Jabary, UK
Yes things are better without Saddam's regime. However there is still a long way to go. Redevelopment of what is a ruined country will take years to rectify and the confidence of the Iraqi people will take years to win back too. Saddam has stained them for life and a war, no matter what its effects, will always live in their memory as the worst event in their life.
Alex, UK
| Although Saddam was a dictator with a brutal regime, the Iraqis had a life |
I am afraid six months on after the declared end of the war in Iraq life is insecure and the freedom gained by expression of opinion and desire for a better life is still a distance wish like a mirage. Although Saddam was a dictator with a brutal regime, the Iraqis had a life despite sanctions and embargoes. America must be prepared to share the burden of governance under the UN umbrella otherwise they have only themselves to blame.
Solomon Ezobi, UK Was India better off under British rule? In some ways yes, in others no. But the point is we shouldn't have been there, and were there for self-serving reasons. It is hypocritical the way our governments say we are in Iraq for the Iraqi people.
Jonathan Kerr, UK
Why do people think that it would take less than six months to completely reorganise and rebuild a country previously under an evil dictatorship? If anything, we'll have a better idea in six years, not 6 months.
Steve G, UK
| Everyone tries to define freedom as the absence of Saddam |
I would call it better only when we SEE local Iraqis feeling better, not when you and I THINK it is better from miles away. The situation in Iraq is really ironic since everyone tries to define freedom as the absence of Saddam.
Sangam Dhruva, USA Life is certainly better for Halliburton, and Cheney, but then that is what it is all about.
J.R. Shanks, USA
War hasn't improved anything yet, nor will it ever. Saddam seemed to be the big bad one, but has the Iraqi got something better in return? I don't believe so. Iraq is a mess. Something will get back to normal when the US and allies go home.
Rvanderhave, Belgium
According to the most recent Gallup poll conducted in Iraq on a properly diversified sample of its population, the majority of Iraqis feel they are better off now than under Saddam, despite current difficulties with basic services and a relative lack of security. It's their opinion not mine.
Mirek Kondracki, USA
Despite the best efforts of the Baathists and the EU, things are much better in most areas of the country. I get numerous e-mails from friends in the military and some involved in the rebuilding that report massive progress. But it's seldom reported, as that deviates from the anti-Bush script. The perception that Iraq is a disaster is keeping out aid money as many donors feel that it's futile and won't help.
Margaret Harrod, San Francisco, CA Iraq is in a serious transition and in the middle of trying to repel an occupying force. No they're not better, this is the start of a very long story. Eventually the US people will get tired of all the soldiers being killed and make a demand that the US pull out.
John Guzowski, USA
Perhaps it's not the action that made this war a historical mistake but the inability to judge what might be after it. Now it's done, I'm more concerned as to how many troops are going to be at risk being world policemen!
Richard Sweetman, England
| It is better than under the previous regime |
Life is improving very slowly in Iraq. As you know the damage that was done in 35 years can't be improved in few months but certainly it is better than under the previous regime. I hope that the coalition forces understand the psychology of the Iraqis better and help them to forget the black years.
Luay Haddad, Iraq Iraq may have been ruled by a dictator, but let's be realistic about who's to blame for the poor standard of living post-1991. Anyone here remember the embargo? 13 years of sanctions which hurt the common people but left Saddam unscathed. Once it became clear that Saddam was not being harmed, the proponents of this policy charged that Saddam was to blame for allowing the suffering, when they knew full well that this would hardly move him. The sanctions were a failure, but still they remained.
Dan, Canada
Any change in the socio-economic and political environment takes time and the change that the US led coalition has brought to Iraq and its people will lead to a better life in future. But for this to happen, concrete steps need to be taken by the US and others with the sole interests of the Iraqi people in mind.
Vishal Vohra, India
I cannot see how the Iraqi people, not having proper water, electricity, food or security, and under constant threat of death and injury (from militants and Americans), can be thought of as being better off. The only difference seems to be that they are dying as free people!?
JFM, UK
I think Iraqis are the only "legitimate respondents" to such a question. But if Saddam was such a cruel dictator, then the mere question for comparison indicates utter failure on the US side. However, with US troops overstretched there and the "Cow Boy" administration under pressure, the situation is temporarily better for the rest of the Middle East!
Omar, Egypt
There is no way anybody will compare life under Saddam and life under US led coalition. The only problem is that some unscrupulous elements in Arab world is trying to frustrate American/British effort to liberate Iraqis.
Charles Nwannunu, Nigeria
Interesting to see how people not living in Iraq have such strong opinions as to whether life in Iraq is better now than before and repeating the news that makes the headlines, in other words, who is being killed in Iraq. I don't live in Iraq, so I don't know. What I do know is that with the newfound freedoms, people express themselves in different ways, including with violence.
Alex, Boston, USA
Life is drastically worse in Iraq. At least under a ruthless dictator there was security, water, and electricity. In the rush to remove Saddam, they neglected to plan for the future. Too bad for the Soldiers who are just doing their job.
Adam, United States
Remnants of Saddam's regime and militants from neighbouring countries seem determined to make Iraq's recovery as arduous as possible. Why don't they accept the inevitable and allow the country to get back on its feet - then the Americans and British can leave them to run their own country. Instead they bomb everything that is not 'Saddam' and cause further misery to the struggling population.
JP, UK
It's a fact that life has got worse - as a former worker for Iraq oil company I have lost everything which I had - I have moved my family near to Jordan so that they can have an access to some necessities - but I'm very much surprised that the Oil production have started and is running smoothly where is we are living a life of hell - I wonder if I'll ever get my job back and I wonder how fast the Oil industry got back to normal, where is Electricity, Gas Water is still a big Issue. Please note that Electricity and water is on and off thing in Iraq now, it's not functioning properly. I ask people is Justice has been done to us? I guess this situation is looking worse than Saddam to me.
Mohammed Jasim, Iraq-border to Jordan
How many Iraqis will be able to go on line and answer that one. However, if you mean is life in the west safer, definitely not. If you mean do I as an UK subject feel any better about my country attacking Iraq, certainly not, in fact I feel so much worse.
Gerry, UK
The water and electricity supplies in Iraq are now back to where they were before the war so in fact the coalition has fixed them. Other markers of progress - oil production and exports now back to 70% and 50% of pre war, schools refurbished and teachers salaries raised 30 times over, new currency next week, murder rate in Baghdad halved in September over August. And just to be really boring - coalition fatalities from hostile attack by month - May 6, June 16, July 29, August 22, September 16. Looks like pretty good progress to me.
John Riddell, United Kingdom Iraq is not safe place either now or during Saddam's time, however I think the American have polarised the region even further and this proves that they may be good in fighting but poor in organising and reconstruction.
Ahmed Falcon, England
Life certainly isn't better for Saddam's thugs and henchmen. Their former life of privelege and impunity to law is gone. The rest of the population would have their blood.
Mark, USA
One of your commentators refers to life being better after 40 years of neglect. I am not a Saddam apologist but until the 1991 war Iraq had better health, education and infrastructure than any other country in the region. Less oil money was lining the pockets of the �lite few. they were the biggest net international non-Western aid donor in the world. Now we have the criminal occupation. Are the Iraqis better off? Saddam was a tyrant, but he was no worse than many other tyrants around the world.
Conall, Ireland
Just after the war there was a lot of news about Iraqs torture camps and prisons to try and justify the war. Could it be possible that the very people involved in anarchy today were the ones Saddam had in prison and are now free to run their writ under the coalition?
Jey, UK
The desire of the US Administration to keep overall control of Iraq's path to democracy is heightening the tensions. There is an admission that many US troops are ill-equipped for a peace-keeping role. We've promised the Arab world western 'fairness' - we need to start by being honest about the true cost of 'war'.
Iain Probert, France
Funny how people complain about what the US did. The word is did as in "do something" as in not standing by and letting a dictator continue in power. These petty little people from these petty little countries. Maybe that is why those countries will stay petty. The US tries to do the right thing. While other countries only talk about the right thing.
john, USA
We should let the United States and the United Kingdom authorities provide a truthful assessment of the situation. They should also provide an indication of what to expect at the end of the next six months.
Amit Prasad, India
Was Europe a better place six months after the second world war? No, we had rationing, the iron curtain and Europe in ruins. Was the second war right? YES!
Gary Gatter, UK
Ask some Iraqis - they are the only ones that know. The answer will depend massively on what you define as 'better', and six months isn't really enough time to tell.
Katherine, UK
| We need to get the power on, the water safe, give people jobs, money and food |
Perhaps we should ask if the world is a better place. The political divisions created by the war, the growing mistrust between the Islamic states and the west, the lack of progress in Palestine, the huge financial cost to the UK and US population, the political dislocation in the UK and above all the increased threat of terrorism - no I don't think this was a price worth paying. As for life in Iraq we need to get the power on, the water safe, give people jobs, money and food and only then can we ask the question.
Jon, UK Resistance from the old regime is increasing rather than dying out, and Islamist terrorists appear to be joining forces with them. US forces can't even protect senior UN and Iraqi officials, let alone themselves, and US endorsement of Israeli aggression is contributing to existing anti-American sentiment. Further down the line, inter-ethnic rivalry will almost certainly add to the chaos. Apart from Saddam himself, Bush now has more blood on his hands than any living person on Earth.
Jon E, France
This disgusting war has proved to the world that violence simply does not work. This cycle of revenge is never going to end as long as we see the only solution being, more troops, more weaponry, and more violence. Pray for Iraq.
Rob Clohesy, UK
Life is better. Look to the mass graves for an explanation.
John, USA
Life in Iraq is definitely better now. What is happening now is normal turbulence, which may occur anywhere. It takes time to put things in order after more that 40 years of negligence.
Yacoub, Sweden
Its' funny how clean water and electricity cannot be restored, but power to produce 6 million barrels of oil a day rolls on relentlessly. Life may not be as oppresive as it was under Saddam but at least there was some kind of law and order. Bring in the UN - and out with the US!!
Junaid Ali, UK
Iraq is infinitely better now than under the monstrous dictator Saddam. With 15,000 Iraqi deaths a year on average during his reign (not counting deaths resulting from the decade of UN sanctions), to the restoration of electricity and other essential service, to the opening of schools, to the restoration of a popular governing council with elections looming, the people of Iraq have turned the corner to peace and justice.
Tony, Australia
I would be more inclined to listen to the views of someone who actually lives in Iraq.
John, UK
Iraq is worse under the "Americas"? Do the "Americans," torture, massacre and butcher the Iraqis and Kurds? What planet are you on?
Theo, UK
| It seems though that a dictatorship has been replaced with anarchy |
The only people who can answer this question are the Iraqis as with propaganda who knows what to believe. It seems though that a dictatorship has been replaced with anarchy. The UK and the U.S. should leave now and the UN should do what they should have done in the first place and send international peace keeping troops however the UN just seem to sit there and do nothing, whats the point in them being there?
Rabs, UK A country needs to be ruled by its own people. Life will get better when that happens.
Radha, India
Mayhem, chaos, guerilla warfare, terrorism, occupying forces, lack of many basics in many areas, looting still happening, mafia warlords ever increasing and cocky westerners telling you what to do and how to live. I'm sure they're real glad we came.
MS, London
The Iraq's had a good police force and a strong military. If only Saddam was toppled and a new political system was introduced without dismantling the Iraqi army and Police the country would not have been in a rampage. The growing hostility against the occupiers which shows a nation's dignity cannot be taken on gun point.
Mac, India
The people of Iraq cannot win. Under Saddam they endured a cruel leader and experienced sanctions imposed by the west. After an illegal war and continuing occupation their lives have been placed into total anarchy. The electricity is not working the hospitals are struggling and the west is stealing the oil under their noses.
J. Hayes, UK
Life was not better under Saddam Hussein but it is important to know that the US must understand that you cannot impose a democracy in a region that was based historically on tribes. Life is better in Iraq but there are still hard times ahead.
Gabriel Asseily, UK
Sad to know that the superpower USA could not maintain peace even after six months.
Haji, Singapore
Life in Iraq was bad under Saddam but it is worse in the hands of Americans. The nation should immediately be handed over to United Nations.
Suraj Chhetri, Nepal
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