posted on November 7, 2003 10:24:44 AM new
From this article, it sounds to me like the new leaders in Iraq are thankful for their 'friends' [the US] help. And they're upset at the other large countries who aren't supporting them to get on their feet.
And it sounds like when given a little time to get on their feet, they'd like to run their own country.
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BAGHDAD ? The head of Iraq's Governing Council pledged yesterday to end the loss of American lives in his country within one year.
Twelve months from now, "we will see Americans in their military garrisons, safe, and nothing [violent] against them," said Jalal Talabani, this month's president of the 25-member council.
"We want to save them, not to put them in danger," Mr. Talabani said in an interview at the huge oval table where the council was about to meet.
The jovial-looking Kurdish leader, who sports a large mustache, said he expects the country to hold elections establishing a democratic federal system of government within a year.
Mr. Talabani also criticized countries that opposed the war, warning Russia and France in particular that their continued unwillingness to commit resources to his country would place them at a disadvantage when major contracts are awarded.
"Also we don't want to see American casualties every day. They came from a long way to liberate it.
Mr. Talabani also said it was crucial to increase the capacities of the new Iraqi police force to allow it to coordinate operations with U.S. forces.
Asked whether he foresaw a long-term American military presence in Iraq, Mr. Talabani chucked. "Well, the Americans don't want to stay here. They are in a hurry to go back."
He said once a democratic, federal Iraq had been set up, the new parliament would decide what degree of American military presence was needed. But he expressed confidence that the new government would "try to have a very good relationship with the U.S. on all levels ? economic, political, trade, everything."
Mr. Talabani expressed his criticism of nations that opposed the war in careful diplomatic language but his meaning was abundantly clear. "I warned them before the war not to put all their eggs in the Saddam basket," he said.
"Contracts will be decided mainly on an economic basis. Of course, we are preferring those who supported us, who were our friends and liberators ? that's very normal, I think ? that's natural."
He argued that the war had been "the only solution" to Saddam's despotic rule and that U.S. Congress' approval of about $20 billion in aid to the country had exposed claims that America was after only Iraqi oil as "a big lie."
He was sure the current wave of coordinated suicide attacks was the work of al Qaeda and its associates, but said elements loyal to Saddam continue to stir the insurgency.
posted on November 7, 2003 02:02:05 PM new
What does "this month's president..."mean??
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In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. -- H.L. Mencken
posted on November 7, 2003 02:19:07 PM new
What I find interesting are the things you chose to leave out of the quotes you gave from the article, or chose not to highlight.
"In the interview, the long-serving Kurdish leader said the key to reducing attacks on American forces, which have claimed about 120 lives since May 1, lies in a rapid handing over of counterinsurgency operations to Iraqi special forces."
"This kind of active antiterror force would do it better than our American friends because they know the country, they know everyone. Also we don't want to see American casualties every day. They came from a long way to liberate it.
"We say it's our country, give it to us. We will secure it, and we will prevent terrorism," he said.
Officials working with Mr. Talabani argued that a heavily armed counterterrorism force would draw on elements of the fledgling Iraqi military, but would derive its main strength from the more experienced Kurdish militias that fought alongside U.S. special forces in the spring to drive Saddam Hussein's troops out of northern Iraq.
Such a force also would recruit former members of Saddam's disbanded military and security forces. Intelligence largely would be gathered and assessed by militias attached to several of the political parties making up the Governing Council.
"We are trying to reach agreement with our American friends about this. We think it's possible to eradicate these terrorist webs quickly if the Iraqis will be permitted to have the responsibility of securing their territory," Mr. Talabani said. U.S. officials until now have opposed the creation of such a force, whose role would overlap with that of the U.S.-led coalition.
But chief U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer was reported yesterday to have softened his opposition to the plan. The Washington Post quoted a senior U.S. official saying Mr. Bremer no longer has "any objection in principle" to the plan but that he wants to make sure several conditions are met.
Mr. Talabani also said it was crucial to increase the capacities of the new Iraqi police force to allow it to coordinate operations with U.S. forces.
"They lack cars, for example, or walkie-talkies, or arms, or flak jackets."
Asked whether he foresaw a long-term American military presence in Iraq, Mr. Talabani chucked. "Well, the Americans don't want to stay here. They are in a hurry to go back."
He said once a democratic, federal Iraq had been set up, the new parliament would decide what degree of American military presence was needed. But he expressed confidence that the new government would "try to have a very good relationship with the U.S. on all levels — economic, political, trade, everything."
While they are grateful that we overthrew Saddam Hussein for them, they are obviously eager for the US to decamp as quickly as possible. And also that they are willing to have some of Husssein's henchmen back in power...
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
[ edited by bunnicula on Nov 7, 2003 02:23 PM ]
posted on November 7, 2003 04:56:57 PM new
profe - What does "this month's president..."mean??
Those on their leadership council, rotate.
bunni, glad you found that interesting. I prefer to focus on the positive. But that's why I provided a link, so anyone interested could read the whole story. Much nicer than scrolling down 20+ pages of copy and paste as some have done in the past.
And you know I support Bush in this effort and will continue to do so, just as I did clinton's bombing on Iraq.
It needed to be done, it's happened and there are lots of issues that are going to need to be dealt with. They will be.
edited to add: And I did state at the beginning of my post, "And it sounds like when given a little time to get on their feet, they'd like to run their own country."
[ edited by Linda_K on Nov 7, 2003 04:58 PM ]
Tell 15,000 US Army National Guard Troops to pack their bags.
“The newly mobilized troops are members of National Guard brigades from Arkansas, North Carolina and Washington state who are intended to combine with fresh active-duty troops.”
“American officials had pressed Turkey, the only majority Muslim nation in NATO, to approve sending up to 10,000 troops. Turkey's parliament voted last month to allow troops to join the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, Turkey's neighbor to the southeast.
But progress stalled because of opposition from some members of the Iraqi Governing Council,…”
posted on November 7, 2003 08:53:09 PM new
Yes, austi - some are being sent so that the Army isn't carrying the whole ball by themselves. Usually they do. Marines and airforce go in first, then the Army comes in.
And on Turkey...yes, they have changed their minds they say because of Iraq's objection about them being there. Some believe their reversal is because of the 'threat' issued by the Saddam supporters, A-Q to take action against any Arab that sides with the US.
posted on November 8, 2003 06:14:33 AM new
...and we should all be pround of those staunch orgainzations such as the UN and Red Cross who are pulling out because they don't want to do their jobs...
[ edited by Linda_K on Nov 7, 2003 04:58 PM ]