Baghdad FOR SALE , OPEN HOUSE fair

November 01, 2009
Baghdad International Fair





For a few days now, going out in the streets of Karkh, which is Baghdad west of the Tigris, has been a very difficult task – especially if you wanted to reach your destination at a pre-set time. The checkpoints have long, long lines; hundreds of cars waiting to pass one by one by the soldier holding the explosive detector – only to reach another checkpoint and another long wait. Sometimes for hours there is no progress.

The reason for the extra vigilance turned out to be the opening of the 36th exhibition of Baghdad International Fair, today.

I remember going to the Fair every year, during the seventies and eighties. The exhibition grounds are very wide and tens of countries, including almost all the Arab states participated, in addition to dozens of independent international companies. It used to be so exciting.

We would visit all the pavilions; see all sorts of products and artifacts from all over the world, many of which were very artful. The Korean pavilion was especially popular. Some participants used to sell their products to visitors before the end of the fair – it was great! Thousands and thousands of people would go every day. Popcorn – crisps – sandwiches – soft drinks and, of course: Iraqi tea; all to be had at every corner.

All the young people wore their most attractive clothes so they could show off! The young men trying to catch the attention of the young women - sparks flying!

At eleven p.m. the horns would start sounding and everyone would shout out loud, "NO!" and people had to be urged to leave.

We had such a time!

Today only four countries are participating: Iran, France, Brazil and Sweden; and 300 independent companies. No Arab states at all.

Iraqi security officials said that the streets around the fair ground, which is located in Mansour, central Baghdad, will be blocked to "provide a secure environment for the participants and their Iraqi counterparts". They also said that "detours" would be provided…

I'm sure I don't know how I would feel after ten or fifteen days of main thoroughfares blocked in the Mansour area, a vital, central area; no one will be very happy. People won't be able to reach their work places and schools.

I wonder why the security officials still believe that blocking the streets will provide security. Is this the only solution our security commanders have? Block the roads!

We know that the issue of violence in Iraq is political. And it follows that the solution should also be political.

When is our government going to take serious steps towards reconciliation? So long as the politicians sitting at the top table are working against each other as competitors instead of working together as partners, the violence will not end – blocked roads or no.