The American Spectator

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Special Report

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"The common people say, 'What is this? America saved Iraq for Saudi Arabia and Iran?'

"To let this election stand ... sends a bad message to normal, ordinary people. They will ask why we should support a fight against the fascists if the U.S. closes its eyes [to fraud]?"

Alusi maintains that ordinary Iraqis who risked their lives to vote in the March 7 elections want to know that the count is fair -- and want the U.S. to help in ensuring it is. He appeals to President Obama to lend U.S. oversight to the Baghdad recount.

"Mr. Obama, he is a democrat, we need him to listen," Alusi said. "We need you to support not just us [liberals] but also your interests in the Middle East....America needs to continue guiding Iraq in the right direction to have a democratic process."

Alusi stressed that the democratic process means not just elections, but guidance and supervision in "the values and conduct of elections."

"People on the street want to see America strong in Iraq," he said, "not in military machinery but in support of the democratic process." Since the recount, which is scheduled for this week, will take at least 10 days, Alusi maintains there is still time for the Obama Administration to articulate a position regarding the Iraqi election and take steps to ensure the recount is properly supervised.

"The U.S. and the U.N. can step in, they have done it in Afghanistan," he says. "If D.C. asks for answers, at least people who are playing games will know there are people watching."