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| Iraq |
| British Set Up First Post-War Iraq Govt. |
| 2003-04-08 |
| Edited for length: British forces began establishing the first post-war administration in Iraq on Tuesday, putting a local sheik into power in the southern city of Basra shortly after their troops took control of the city. British forces installing their own sheik after taking control, that'll bring back memories around the mess table. Next we'll see pith helmets and swagger sticks. The sheik was not identified. Col. Chris Vernon, spokesman for the British forces, said the sheik had met British divisional commanders Monday and been given the job of setting up an administrative committee representing other groups in the region. The sheik and his committee will be the first civilian leadership established in liberated Iraq, even as retired U.S. general Jay Garner, appointed by the Pentagon to form an interim post-war administration, tries to define a new leadership for the whole country. The sheik's committee will be left alone by the British to form a local authority, Vernon said. Garner has signed off on the British plan. "Gen. Garner has come up and spoke to the British divisional commander and we will be working fully in cooperation with his Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Aid," Vernon said. The sheik is a local figure and not an Iraqi exile, Vernon said. Locals in charge of locals, best way to go. The sheik indicated that he could tap some figures in Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath party who did not oppress the local people. Most of the Baath officials in Basra had been outsiders and were detested. There'll be a few who joined the Baath party just to get a job, after a good background check they should be ok. "We have ascertained that he is worthwhile, credible and has authority in the local area, particularly with the tribal chiefs," Vernon said, adding that the sheik will form his committee as he sees fit "and we will take him at his word on his judgment... We would very much trust their self-selection. Their knowledge of the locals is far greater than ours is. They've been there. We've only been there 14 days." Keep an eye on them. In Basra, elements of the local police could be involved to help re-establish law and order, Vernon said, but indicated for the moment, they would not be allowed to carry weapons. Anyone carrying a gun will be considered an irregular fighter and risks being killed. We'll carry the guns, thank you. Call us if you need help. The British consider Iraq to be fertile ground to transfer as much control to civilians quickly, Vernon said. Apart from shortages of water, there is no major humanitarian problem. "This is not a former Yugoslavia, this is not Afghanistan," Vernon told a news briefing. "Basically, what we see in the Basra province is a broadly functioning civil infrastructure, and administration, to a lesser degree." Sounds good. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 This'll be a stop-gap measure to try to curb the rampant looting of (mainly government) property that's going on in Basra, I assume. Clamping down on lawless elements with tact and discrimination the British forces couldn't hope to apply themselves. And to coordinate emergency humanitarian relief and infrastructure repairs on the ground. Hope this sheikh appreciates the 'interim' aspect of his job description and behaves with due propriety. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2003-04-08 09:08:02 |