Baghdad Divided Over Obama Re-Election

The news of Barack Obama's re-election as US President did not quite bring the world to a stop on Wednesday. But in the heart of Baghdad, there were plenty of ordinary Iraqis willing to take a minute out of their day to express an opinion on it.

Published

6 months ago

Categories

US, World

Topics

Middle East & North Africa, United States, US Politics

People

Barack Obama

Places

United States of America, Iraq, Baghdad

Transcript

SHOTLIST: BAGHDAD, NOVEMBER 7, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV SOUNDBITE 1 - Kadim Rihaima (man), official employee (Arabic, 16 sec): "Obama's victory is a victory for all Democrats in the world. He was the first black person to enter the American White House. And that is something joyful. And we as Iraqis rejoice at such equality between blacks and whites." SOUNDBITE 2 - Muhammad Abdul Rida (man), official employee (Arabic, 20 sec): "I do not think there will be a change in US policy because US policy is steady. There are special committees to plan and presidents only implement. So, I don't think there will be any fundamental change in US policy toward the interests of Arabs or Iraqis, and especially Palestinians." SOUNDBITE 3 - Ahmed al-Qaissi (man), owner of a photography shop in Tahrir Square (Arabic, 11 sec): "America is hostile. America has established itself as the policeman to the world, so I don't think Obama or anyone else can do anything positive for the Middle East or for Arabs or for Muslims." SOUNDBITE 4 - Abud Hassan (man), remote control street vendor (Arabic, 18 sec): "He will support the Iraqi people more, he will support the new Arab revolutions, and he will stand with them and he will stand with freedom. We have seen this before from the behaviour and actions of President Obama." 1 min 18 sec of images showing: - VAR of Tahrir Square in central Baghdad - VAR of Kadim Rihaima and Muhammad Abdul Rida talking in Tahrir Square - VAR exteriors of Ahmed al-Qaissi's photography shop in Tahrir Square - VAR interiors of Ahmed al-Qaissi's photography shop in Tahrir Square - VAR of Ahmed al-Qaissi working in his shop - VAR of Abud Hassan selling remote controls at his stall in Tahrir Square - VAR of Tahrir Square in central Baghdad