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Iraq
U.S. Ponders Alternatives to Iraq Governing Council
2003-11-09
EFL and fair use
Increasingly alarmed by the failure of Iraq’s Governing Council to take decisive action, the Bush administration is developing possible alternatives to the council to ensure that the United States can turn over political power at the same time and pace that troops are withdrawn, according to senior U.S. officials here and in Baghdad.
They're doing the rule-by-committee thing, with a weak "presidency" that rotates every month. Who expected much out of them?
The United States is deeply frustrated with its hand-picked council members because they have spent more time on their own political or economic interests than in planning for Iraq’s political future, especially selecting a committee to write a new constitution, the officials added. "We’re unhappy with all of them. They’re not acting as a legislative or governing body, and we need to get moving," said a well-placed U.S. official who spoke on the condition anonymity. "They just don’t make decisions when they need to."
That’s a way of life over there.
Ambassador Robert Blackwill, the new National Security Council official overseeing Iraq’s political transition, begins an unannounced trip this weekend to Iraq to meet with Iraqi politicians with a 2 x 4 to drive home that point. He is also discussing U.S. options with L. Paul Bremer, civilian administrator of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority.
It also puts a shot across the IGC's bows — shape up quickly or evaporate...
The United States is even considering a French proposal, earlier rejected, to create an interim Iraqi leadership that would emulate the Afghan model. During the debate before the new United Nations resolution on postwar Iraq was passed Oct. 17, France and other Security Council members had proposed holding a national conference — like the Afghan loya jirga — to select a provisional government that would have the rights of sovereignty.
Ba-a-a-a-d idea. If the current members of the IGC can’t do the job, sack a few and find some replacements. They’ll get the idea.
Among several options, the administration is also considering changing the order of the transition if it looks as though it could drag on much longer than the United States had planned. The United States has long insisted that a new constitution was the essential first step and elections the final phase in handing over power. "If our exit is going to take longer, if it looks like it could go more than two years to get it all done, then there’s an incentive to look into a transitional phase and some other governing mechanism," a State Department official said.
It took us 4 years with West Germany and 7 with Japan. What’s the rush?
The move comes after repeated warnings to the Iraqi body. Two weeks ago, Bremer met with the council and bluntly told members that they "can’t go on like this," a senior U.S. official in Baghdad said. Bremer noted that at least half the council is out of the country at any given time and that at some meetings, only four or five members show up.
Even more reason to sack a few.
Since the council appointed 25 cabinet ministers in late August, the body has done "nothing of substance," the U.S. official in Baghdad added. The council has been seriously remiss in oversight of its own ministers, holding public hearings, setting policy for cabinet departments and even communicating with cabinet members, he said. The United States, which financially and politically backed several of the council members when they were in exile, has also been disillusioned by the council’s inability to communicate with the Iraqi public or gain greater legitimacy. The senior official in Baghdad called the council "inept" at outreach to its own people.
"I mean, they act like a bunch of Texas Democrats!"
Ironically, Iraqi council members counter that they should be given the powers of a provisional government — with rights of sovereignty — because they have no real powers to act as long as the CPA occupies and rules Iraq. In an interview, a council member also charged that the United States has an "unrealistic idea" that difficult issues can be sorted out in a day or two. "It’s not possible," the Iraqi added. A senior Iraqi National Congress official added that just because the principals are not at meetings does not mean they are not working.
"We’re really good at feathering our nests. You should see how we can do this when we’re out of the country!"
Adel Abdel-Mehdi, a council member with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said the Iraqi mission should not be rushed. "Figuring out how to write the constitution is the most important thing we will do. We have to make sure we take the time to do this right," he said. Council members, he added, were busy talking to Iraqis about the issue informally.
"I talk to my bodyguards and handlers about this daily!"
Coming out of decades of either a dictatorship or a monarchy, Iraqis also need time to learn how to use and share power. "The council is trying its best. You have to remember we are 24 goofy and semi-psychotic personalities," said Mowaffak Rubaie, a moderate Shiite Muslim physician who returned from exile in Britain. "We have never worked together. There is no precedent for what we are doing."
And not much more patience!
Posted by:Steve White

#4  Bush has sacked several people: O Neil, the Sec of the Army, Bremer's predecessor and some other guy on the economic side. I'm not sure why Tenet is still there. As for Minetta, trying to change the bureaucracy of the Transportation - that has never had any reason to change before ought to be quite challenging. Plus he's the token Democrat.

Someone, the other day, posted that Iraq has a Constitution from the 20's that could be modified rather than starting from scratch. It has never been recinded. Maybe that would speed things up.
Posted by: Super Hose   2003-11-9 2:16:19 PM  

#3  He seems unable to sack people who don't measure up or to upgrade to the best people available.

Thats' the problem. He WON'T sack people who don't perform. For example, why is Tenet still FBI director? Why is Mineta still Transportation Secretary? And don't even mention the State Department.

If this is the manifestation of GWB's "compassionate conservatism", then it's not a virtue, but a hinderance.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-11-9 11:20:42 AM  

#2  Iraq will respond well to the United States'post-war generosity and opportunities, but only after seeing the USA ruthlessly (no FireSign Theater jokes please) and overwhelmingly crush those who oppose us... including the memebers of an uncooperative and self interested Governing Council.

How many times have we heard (and seen the proof) that the people and regimes of this region respond best to, and show deferential respect for, the use of unequivocal strength?

Let's start the Council replacement program with some ass-kicking and biatch-slapping of the scum in the Sunnicide Triangle - round 'em up and SHUT them down. Then give the council's ignorant asses the bum's rush.

Time to reaquaint Iraq with the meaning of unequivocal.

Posted by: Hyper   2003-11-9 10:01:04 AM  

#1  hmmm..that seems to be the achilles heel of the Bush administation. He seems unable to sack people who don't measure up or to upgrade to the best people available.
Posted by: B   2003-11-9 6:42:24 AM  

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