As a new wave of violence hit Iraq in the past three days, which killed almost 100 people across the country, disputes over whether to hold, postpone or even cancel the schedule Jan. 30 elections heightened.

The United States which has occupied Iraq since April 2003, the interim Iraqi government and the independent Higher Commission of Elections insist that the elections be held in time, but politicians and religious figures are strongly divided over the issue.

Meanwhile, most Iraqis stand puzzled in front of these differences, fearing that they would lead the country to a civil war.

Abdul Al Hussein Al Hindawi, head of the Higher Commission of Elections, said the political atmosphere for holding the elections is improving.

He added some of the Iraqi political powers that called for postponing the elections, such as the Muslim Scholars Association which has announced boycotting the elections, are showing more flexibility in attitudes by accepting holding the elections in time.

"Those powers started taking different attitudes from their previous ones, which would generate an impetus that elections would be held in time and with active participation by political figures and entities representing the different classes of the Iraqi people," he said.

Washington is encouraging holding the elections according to schedule and has decided to send more American forces to control security during the elections.

General Abi Zaid, the highest military official responsible for the American forces in Iraq, surprised everyone Saturday by announcing doubts about the ability of the Iraqi forces to control the security situation before the elections.

As for the Unite Nations which has announced it supports the elections, the UN consultant Al Akhdhar Al Ibrahimi said Saturday that it would be impossible to hold the elections next January if the serious security situation continue to maintain the same level.

"The elections are not a magical potion but part of the political operation that should be very well prepared for and held in a proper time to achieve the desired goals," said Al Ibrahimi in an interview with a newspaper in Holland.

The interim Iraqi government still approved holding the elections in time according to the announcements of Iyad Allawi, the Iraqi interim prime minister, and Sheikh Ghazi Ageel Al Yawer, the interim Iraqi president who is visiting Washington now.

Qassim Dawood, minister of Iraqi national security affairs, said the elections would be held in time and that any delay would mean "a present for the terrorists".

"No one has the power to postpone the elections, not the government, the National Assembly, or the United Nations. Iraqis are ready for elections, and we are taking all the necessary measures to provide security," he said.

Jabir Habib, a university professor, said that Iraqis who were looking forward to the day when they would really experience democracy, would find themselves in a real dilemma, for if they participate in the elections, they would be on the hit list of some armed groups.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2004)