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Lessons from history

Daniel Whitaker

Iraq has parallels with the U.S. invasion of the Philippines.

THE UNITED States is embroiled in an ill-considered occupation of a distant land; an initial welcome turned to violence amid human rights violations; it will be many years before extrication is possible. Not Iraq today, but the Philippines a century ago, an eerie parallel that might have provided valuable lessons.

The U.S. took the Philippines in 1899 — part of what its then Secretary of State, John Hay, called "a splendid little war." The previous regime (in this case, Spanish-run) was quickly vanquished, with the shock and awe of superior weaponry. War had begun over American claims that a weapon of medium-sized destruction was used by the Spanish to destroy the USS Maine in Havana harbour, an accusation later considered dubious.

The Republican President, William McKinley, stated he had prayed for guidance, and the divine advice was to "uplift and civilise" the Philippines. The Americans expected a welcome from the Filipinos, and indeed the U.S. was seen as a liberator by many — initially. But U.S. occupation became increasingly unpopular and a protracted guerrilla war developed. During the conflict, more than 4,000 U.S. troops died and several hundred thousand Filipinos lost their lives during the occupation.

An outcry swelled over civilian deaths and over U.S. treatment of Filipino prisoners, including use of a torture known as "the water cure" (a technique similar to the "water boarding" Vice President Dick Cheney defended as a practice in Guantanamo). Some GIs were reprimanded.

The Filipinos fought using what they had to hand. Muslim islanders, called to jihad, launched suicide sword attacks in crowded streets. Christian islanders also resisted, but there was conflict between the faiths. Those co-operating with the U.S. were often threatened or assassinated.

The U.S. war with the Spanish had been planned for months, with a media campaign focussing on the barbarism of Spanish rule. But the Americans had not done their research on the people, nor did they have any detailed plans of how to administer the country. The U.S. organised elections, but was disappointed with the politicians who emerged. It spent millions of dollars improving infrastructure, but won over few hearts and minds. Back home, enthusiasm for the war eroded. Celebrities and intellectuals voiced opposition. Even big U.S. businesses that were close to the White House started to lose faith in the supposed commercial opportunities the occupation might offer. Eventually this was reflected in the polls and by 1912 the Democrats won control of both houses of Congress, ending years of Republican domination.

There are important differences between Iraq and the Philippines a century before. But also surely there has been a wasted opportunity to learn lessons. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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