Iraqis are angry about Summit security

On the eve of the Arab League Summit hosted by the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the city\'s streets appear bathed in the colours silver and khaki with shiny barbed wire used to close most of the town\'s main roads and institution buildings, while tens of thousands of khaki-wearing security soldiers are on full alert. The interior ministry\'s representatives have confirmed they are working aroun the clock to ensure the security of the Summit\'s delegations without affecting normal life in Baghdad, although, the reality on the ground is the reverse, especially after the bomb attacks which took place in the Iraqi capital last Tuesday. The authorities have closed most of the gates  around the city\'s perimeter.  Entering the city through the six remaining entrances is a tedious and snail-paced journey, which could take several hours, as the security troops are applying strict inspections on any vehicle or person passing through the restricted gateways to the city.    The interior ministry revealed earlier that a curfew may be applied on the Summit\'s opening day \"if needed\", while the city\'s population are expressing their disquiet at the stringent procedures which are preventing them from enjoying  normal life.  Iraqi journalist, Rafed al-Mahmadawi, explaining the situation to Arabstoday said:  \"Walking is the only way to move from one place to another in Baghdad. Many citizens have decided to stock up on food and medicines, fearing that a curfew will be applied.  Meanwhile, the people who need to see their doctors or  visit hospitals are faced with the likelihood that they will not be able to, as the wait at some checkpoints could be hours.  Even the governmental institutions will be closed for an entire week, so the population are now referring to the Arab League Summit as: The National Distress.\" The Iraqi people are questioning the reasoning behind holding such an event in Baghdad, taking into account the social and security conditions in the Iraqi capital. Some of them commented that it would be far better to spend the money lavished on security \"to improve the power network of the city\" which is in crisis. Others have gone one step further to question the benefit of the event itself saying that many of the governments  with delegates participating in the Summit cannot guarantee they will even remain in charge in the days following the meeting.   A university professor called Mohammed ( who asked not to reveal his full name) told Arabstoday: \"I think that the Iraqi government is trying to create an illusion. Everybody knows how poor are the conditions suffered by the Iraqi people.  This government has failed in everything it set out to do, yet it  is trying to convince itself and others that it can help these Arab countries, while they have failed to help their own.\"