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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Cookie pushers at work in Baghdad |
| 2005-04-18 |
| snip The greatest insult to sovereignty relates to the convention center in which the national assembly now convenes. The U.S. military, which seized the building as Baghdad fell, has not donated, but rather rented the facilities to the Iraqi government. Some Iraqi officials have complained that American diplomats walk in and out of the building, and on occasion the meeting rooms, when the assembly is in session. The national assembly must share its facilities with more than two dozen American agencies and offices. After the Iraqis voted to switch buildings, American diplomats intervened. They interceded with several Iraqi politicians, mostly high-level officials from Allawi's ousted government, to resist the move. Respect for democracy requires that the U.S. embassy respect national-assembly votes, all the more so when unanimous. The embassy operates for its own purposes, though. To move outside the Green Zone would be inconvenient for the Americans. U.S. diplomats like to cover the national assembly's proceedings, but State Department security regulations will not allow diplomats outside of the fortified zone without three days' notice. Furthermore, U.S. political officers may not be outside the security zone after dark. Iraqi sovereignty is simply inconvenient for the foreign-service lifestyle. The issues facing Iraq are vast. Iraqis debate the role of religion in their society. Kurds, Turkmen, and Arabs debate the future of Kirkuk. Discussions relating to a Basra-centered southern Iraqi federal unit are picking up. An increasingly mature and independent Iraqi press is at the forefront of investigating corruption. The arguments Iraqis have are long and sometimes heated. But, as the January 30 turnout showed, Iraqis take great pride in their sovereignty. The White House does too. Unfortunately, no one has yet told the American embassy. |
| Posted by:Mrs. Davis |
| #3 Thinking more about this write up, if the State personnel had immediately turned their back on someone like Prime Minister Ayad Allawi with whom they had worked the long and difficult road to the election, then the same embassy personnel would be portrayed as fickle and quick to abandon anyone who lost any power or influence. This may just be a cultural difference. Normally, we as a people are comfortable with people we've worked with in successful programs and even though they may move or change position, we see no reason that fellowships established under difficult environments should be abandoned. To us, this does not preclude establishing new relationships to add to the old. |
| Posted by: Chomose Spomoger7331 2005-04-18 4:06:06 PM |
| #2 This is actually pretty funny, IMHO. Much ado over image, rather than reality. [semi-ranty] For example, I take issue with Mr Rubin when he asserts: "Most Iraqis remain grateful for the liberation which made elections possible, but they resent the manner in which U.S.-Iraqi partnership degenerated into occupation." There is barely a partnership, now, and there was none before now, precisely because the Iraqis are finally fielding troops who will fight for Iraq, instead of their tribe / clan / flavor of Islam / dictator / Iranian Mullah / greenbacks. Within the last 2-3 months, they have begun to be our partners in their liberation. So let's keep the facts of the matter out there in front, visible and clear, shall we, Mr Rubin? Okay, so State is acting like State. Nothing new there. Dubya should issue the marching orders, if he agrees. Look, Ruby baby, much of this is classic Arab seething over the usual: image, not content. They have to earn respect from us, too, y'know. This one-way street bullshit is over. Kaput. They can earn it by raising the concern, debating the response if they don't like it, but continuing the military and police building programs which will make the Green Zone unnecessary. State is full of twits. Career twits. Steyn skewered them beautifully yesterday. Bush and Dr Rice can and will take the skewers and make them real. The Iraqis have to make themselves real. They're not "done" yet or we would've pulled out. Get a grip, there, Ruby. This reminds me of the "B" Ark folks - they failed to invent the wheel because they couldn't agree on what color it should be. Sheesh. Iraqis: Make your country safe, a place based on Rule of Law, make yourselves an admirable example of tolerance and forbearance. Stop seething and pretending that how shit looks is more important than making shit work. We've begun the rebirth of the CIA, State, and the US delegation to the UN. We have a job to do and we're doing it, thanks to Bush. You have a job to do, as well, time to FOCUS, people. Rubin. Lol! Piss off. [/semi-ranty] |
| Posted by: .com 2005-04-18 1:10:22 PM |
| #1 Now its no longer bodies, its now about feelings. So, for a historical perspective, how did the US treat the Germans and Japanese in similar situations? |
| Posted by: Chomose Spomoger7331 2005-04-18 12:39:00 PM |