All eager to have a say in the new democratic Iraq. It is a shame therefore that despite optimism within Iraq, the western mediacontinues to portray the situation there in a negative light, including the recent elections.

We need not forget that the whole concept of democracy is new to the people of Iraq, who had to endure two decades of dictatorship. Therefore the fact that many voted along sectarian lines is hardly surprising. Not was it unexpected. The allegations of fraud have also been exaggerated by the media who tend to ignore the fact that the United Nations representative in Iraq has described Iraq's elections as one of he most transparent to be held in the Middle East. Also the Independent Election Commission has relvealed that, even with hte votes under scrutiny for fraud the final results will remain unaffected.

After three defeats at the ballot the Sunnis must now realise that they are a minority and that the era when the minority ruled over the majority in Iraq has long passed. Moreover the fact that the United Iraqi Alliance, the clear victors of this election are already beginning negotiations to form a government of national unity that will include Arab Sunnis, Kurds and Turkomen is another positive sign for the new democratic Iraq. All will shared in the building of a bright future.

Iraq continues to move forward, the democratic proccess goes on and the Iraqi people with every vote cast continue to defy the terrorists who fear a democratic Iraq. The words of Abraham Lincoln best sum up the situation: "The ballot is stronger that the bullet". Try as might the terrorists will not win over the resilience of the Iraqi people at large.