Friday, February 23, 2007
Government bodies disbanded by U.S. to get jobs back
Security, Politics
(Azzaman) Members of government bodies the U.S. disbanded in the aftermath of its 2003 invasion will all have their jobs back, according Fayadh Ali, head of a committee charged with looking into the fate of Iraqis who had lost their jobs. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who were employed by the former regime in the army, security, intelligence and other sensitive bodies were sacked.
The move is now seen as a major catalyst that fueled violence in the country. The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants to reverse those decisions as part of a reconciliation package to lure opponents to the political process. Fayadh is a member of the High Reconciliation Commission and says Maliki was keen to accommodate all those who were affected by U.S. decisions to dismantle several organs of the former government.
In all, the Americans disbanded 18 institutions among them the army, the Baath party, security apparatus, police and the Republican Guards. Fayadh says members of these organizations have two options: either join the ranks of the bodies created by the new government or opt for retirement. He said forms will be forwarded to members of the disbanded organizations and all former employees whether civil or military have the right to apply.
If the plan succeeds, it will be the first comprehensive and tangible move towards reconciliation in Iraq currently torn by sectarian strife and violence. “We must turn a new page and leave behind rancor and hatred which have strained the Iraqi street,” said Lt. Gen. Thamer Sultan of the Defense Ministry. The ministry, he said, was working to accommodate most members of the former army and those who cannot find a place, particularly senior officers, will get a ‘decent’ pension, he said. “There is sincere intention to solve this issue this time. It is not for procrastination and the prime minister himself has issued clear orders to have the plan implemented,” he said.
The move is now seen as a major catalyst that fueled violence in the country. The government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki wants to reverse those decisions as part of a reconciliation package to lure opponents to the political process. Fayadh is a member of the High Reconciliation Commission and says Maliki was keen to accommodate all those who were affected by U.S. decisions to dismantle several organs of the former government.
In all, the Americans disbanded 18 institutions among them the army, the Baath party, security apparatus, police and the Republican Guards. Fayadh says members of these organizations have two options: either join the ranks of the bodies created by the new government or opt for retirement. He said forms will be forwarded to members of the disbanded organizations and all former employees whether civil or military have the right to apply.
If the plan succeeds, it will be the first comprehensive and tangible move towards reconciliation in Iraq currently torn by sectarian strife and violence. “We must turn a new page and leave behind rancor and hatred which have strained the Iraqi street,” said Lt. Gen. Thamer Sultan of the Defense Ministry. The ministry, he said, was working to accommodate most members of the former army and those who cannot find a place, particularly senior officers, will get a ‘decent’ pension, he said. “There is sincere intention to solve this issue this time. It is not for procrastination and the prime minister himself has issued clear orders to have the plan implemented,” he said.
Labels: al-Maliki, Fayadh Ali, High Reconciliation Commission
