As part of MEMRI's Arab TV Monitor Project, MEMRI has been tracking Iraqi election commercials and public service announcements in advance of the January 30 election, including one by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Many of these clips have been produced by a group which describes itself as "a number of scholars, businesspersons, and activists, who share a common and firm belief in freedom and progress for all the Iraqi people," and which has a website at www.futureiraq.org. The following are excerpts from the clips; to view a 4:33 compilation of the clips, visit http://memritv.org/clip/en/499.htm:
'We Will Allow No One to Deprive Us of Our Rights'
An Iraqi election broadcast appeared on Al-Arabiya TV on January 2, 2005. To view the clip, visit http://memritv.org/clip/en/453.htm:
An old man rounding a corner into an alleyway looks up and sees young, masked militants facing him down. A couple joins the old man. Slowly, more and more people join the old man.
Voiceover:"On January 30, we meet our destiny and our duty. We are not alone, and we are not afraid. Our strength is in our unity; together we will work and together prevail"
Those joining the man now outnumber the militants. He nods and they move forward. The militants run away.
Written on screen: " Don't worry about Iraq. We are its people. We will allow no one to deprive us of our rights. For the building of Iraq: Peace, freedom and democracy. The heroes of Iraq." [1]
'Because We Have a Duty to Build Iraq, I Will Participate in the Elections'
The following are excerpts from an Iraqi election broadcast that appeared on Al-Iraqiyya TV on October 21, 2004. To view the clip, visit http://memritv.org/clip/en/301.htm:
Written on screen: "Your vote is the future."
Doctor: "In order to restore Iraq's health, I will participate in the elections."
Oil Worker: "Because we have a duty to build Iraq, I will participate in the elections."
Painter: "In order to bring back Iraq's color, I will participate in the elections."
Farmer: "This land must flourish. This is Iraq!"
Voiceover: "Your vote is the future!" [2]
Broadcast in Support of Iraqi Unity
This broadcast in support of Iraqi unity appeared on Abu Dhabi TV on November 8, 2004. To view the clip, visit
http://memritv.org/clip/en/333.htm:
"Iraq - if we are divided, we will not rule. Iraq – one homeland, one future." [3]
Iraqi Police Support Broadcast: 'The Heroes of Iraq'
The following is an Iraqi broadcast in support of the Iraqi police that appeared on Al-Arabiya TV on November 3, 2004. To view the clip, visit http://memritv.org/clip/en/324.htm:
"Today there are more than 100,000 policemen and others employed by the Iraqi security forces.
"Next year they will double in number, and will be better trained and prepared to face Iraq's enemies and the forces of darkness and crime.
"We are concerned about Iraq. We are its people.
"With your support, Iraq will become stronger.
"The heroes of Iraq." [4]
Iraqi PM Iyad Allawi's Election Commercial
The following is an Iraqi election advertisement for Iyad Allawi's party, broadcast on Al-Arabiya TV on January 9, 2005. To view the clip, visit http://memritv.org/clip/en/478.htm:
Allawi: "Hello, My name is Iyad Allawi, I am an Iraqi and a physician. When we physicians graduate, we take an oath to treat people and ease their pain. Therefore, we cannot stand by and watch the oppression and tyranny that have hurt Iraq. I have resisted this tyranny for over thirty years and I've been a target of attempted assassinations. I have returned to my country to take part in its rebuilding. Therefore, we have assembled a party to run in the elections and called it 'The Iraqi List.' It will create a new tomorrow for a strong Iraq."
Voiceover: "Vote for the Iraqi party and for Dr. Iyad Allawi for a strong leadership and a secure homeland!" [5]
An Iraqi Election Broadcast
The following is an Iraqi election broadcast that was aired on Al-Arabiya TV (Dubai) on January 12, 2005:
A U.S. Army convoy leaves a desert. A little boy watches them go. He is joined by his friends. They play soccer.
Written on screen: "They move on, and we stay. www.futureiraq.org" [6]
[1] Al-Arabiya TV (Dubai), January 2, 2005.
[2] Al-Iraqiya TV (Iraq), October 21, 2004.
[3] Abu Dhabi TV, November 8, 2004.
[4] Al-Arabiya TV (Dubai), November 3, 2004.
[5] Al-Arabiya TV (Dubai), January 9, 2005.
[6] Al-Arabiya TV (Dubai), January 12, 2005.
