NEWS TIP SHEET
Despite continuing violence, Iraqi voters are casting ballots today to choose a parliament that will be charged with creating a government to run the country for a full four-year term.
The importance of the election is more symbolic than substantial at this time, said political science Instructor Michael Kanner of the University of Colorado at Boulder. While the election will not alter the day-to-day quality of life in Iraq anytime soon, Kanner said it is a chance for the Iraqi people to send a message to insurgents that they are choosing democracy over violence.
"It's another positive step forward and another case of the Iraqi people saying we are not buying into the insurgency," said Kanner. "A strong turn-out for the election essentially says the Iraqi people will continue the democratic process, so it pays off symbolically and shows that the insurgency isn't gaining the type of popular support that it wants."
Kanner is a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer and counter-terrorism expert. He can talk about security issues in Iraq and Afghanistan and he can be reached at (303) 492-7138 or by e-mail at Michael.Kanner@colorado.edu.
Other faculty sources at the University of Colorado at Boulder who can comment on the war in Iraq and the latest Iraqi elections include:
o Robert Schulzinger, professor of history and director of CU-Boulder's International Affairs program. Schulzinger is an expert on U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, American politics and the Vietnam War. He can be reached at (303) 492-7993.
o Francis Beer, professor of political science. Beer specializes in the study of conflict and peace, and international relations. He can be reached at (303) 492-7802.