Saturday, November 04, 2006
U.S. allegedly considering 'salvation government'
Politics
As conditions in Iraq get out of control, the Whitehouse is said to be considering all 'options' in a bid to contain the situation. A top option for the U.S. administration, well-placed Iraqi officials say, is the formation of a new 'salvation government' that may include senior army officers who were active under the former regime. The U.S. is reported to be preparing the ground for the formation of such government and would like to have it seen as being a purely Iraqi option.
Analysts say the government, if formed, stands little chance of success as it will indicate yet another glaring signal of 'flagrant U.S. intervention' in Iraq affairs. The analysts say the move to both the average Iraqis and the various resistance groups would be seen as a last attempt by the U.S. to turn things around. "The rebels will certainly intensify their attacks and adopt new tactics to take violence and armed struggle to levels unseen before," one analyst says. Even pro-U.S. elements are skeptical of the move because in their eyes it aims at securing U.S. presence and preserving the safety of its troops rather than Iraq 's strategic interests.
Analysts say the government, if formed, stands little chance of success as it will indicate yet another glaring signal of 'flagrant U.S. intervention' in Iraq affairs. The analysts say the move to both the average Iraqis and the various resistance groups would be seen as a last attempt by the U.S. to turn things around. "The rebels will certainly intensify their attacks and adopt new tactics to take violence and armed struggle to levels unseen before," one analyst says. Even pro-U.S. elements are skeptical of the move because in their eyes it aims at securing U.S. presence and preserving the safety of its troops rather than Iraq 's strategic interests.
It is not clear whether a salvation government consisting of former army generals will be palatable to the current coalition government administered by pro-U.S. Shiite and Kurdish factions. The presence of these generals in the government should be a matter of concern to both groups. It may appease some Sunnis, but it may also send the wrong signal to both the Kurds and Shiites.
But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki seems to be happy with the measure. The analysts say Washington has promised to have him reinstated as premier in the new government and grant him wider powers. Maliki has repeatedly complained of the constraints placed on his authority. In theory, he is commander-in-chief but in practice he has little authority on the deployment of Iraqi troops, their training and armament. Maliki says the army is ill-equipped and he does not have enough guns for all his police officers. He said under such conditions it is almost impossible for him to deliver on promises to have all the militias disbanded as "some of them are much better equipped than Iraqi troops.
But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki seems to be happy with the measure. The analysts say Washington has promised to have him reinstated as premier in the new government and grant him wider powers. Maliki has repeatedly complained of the constraints placed on his authority. In theory, he is commander-in-chief but in practice he has little authority on the deployment of Iraqi troops, their training and armament. Maliki says the army is ill-equipped and he does not have enough guns for all his police officers. He said under such conditions it is almost impossible for him to deliver on promises to have all the militias disbanded as "some of them are much better equipped than Iraqi troops.
COMMENT: It is plausible that the U.S. is considering a 'salvation government' following certain events over the past few days. It was rumoured on Thursday that al-Maliki is considering a cabinet reshuffle of key posts such as the security and oil ministries. Prior to that Iraqi and Jordanian newspapers reported that U.S. officials met with Iraqi officials and 12 armed groups in Amman last week to discuss the formation of a new party. On Saturday there was talk of U.S. support shifting to the Sunnis from the Shias. However, the 'salvation government' will never be accepted as an 'all-Iraqi' solution and the U.S. intervention will cause friction. It is also unlikely that the Shias and Kurds will accept and work with former regime elements. COMMENT ENDS.
