Iraqi freedom contrasts with Cuban control

On Monday, Saddam Hussein celebrated his 66th birthday -- if he is still alive -- in fearful seclusion while the people he no longer terrorizes didn't have to witness staged celebrations for the first time in 30 years.

Instead, the Iraqi people are embracing freedom.

"Today, on the birth of Saddam Hussein, let's start a democratic process for the children of Iraq," said Jay Garner, the retired U.S. general who is the country's civilian administrator. Garner spoke during a "town hall" meeting in Baghdad.

In many ways, the Iraqis are already enjoying the fruits of their young democracy. For example, at Monday's meeting was a woman named Zainab al-Suwaij from the American Islamic Congress. She was there representing Iraqi women, who played almost no role in Iraqi politics under Saddam Hussein.

There was more evidence of freedom last week when an estimated 1 million Shiite Muslims marched to a holy shrine in Karbala, a rite of worship that had been outlawed by Hussein. It may have seemed strange to Americans, with some Shiites slashing their bodies and drawing blood. But for Iraqis it is democracy at its core.

Thousands of Iraqis have even taken to the streets to protest the U.S. presence in Iraq as well as to show frustration at shortages of food, water or power. There has been no retaliation by U.S. forces.

It's only a start, but Iraq is truly on the worthwhile road to democracy.

It's a pointed contrast from our neighbors to the south in Cuba, where tensions with the United States are at their highest level in years. Fidel Castro has run Cuba with a tone of terror that reflect much of the Saddam Hussein regime.

In the past month, Cuba has sentenced scores of dissidents to prison terms of up to 28 years and executed three men who led a failed attempt to hijack a passenger ferry to the United States.

The moves have prompted an outcry from President Bush, human rights groups and the Vatican. Castro remains defiant, saying harsh measures are required to protect the communist nation from U.S. and Cuban exile-led efforts to destabilize the country. It is only the most recent of transgressions that follow 43 years of repression.

After Sept. 11, 2001, and the retaliation in Afghanistan, the United States designated seven other countries as states sponsoring terrorism. Cuba is at the top of the list.

The United States is wrapping up its business in Iraq. There's also some speculation that government officials may be selecting another target in its war on terror. It's not the best time for Castro to be drawing attention.

Castro should consider himself forewarned: A time may be coming when jubilant Cubans will be watching his statue being dragged through the streets of Havana.