It seems not one of Iraq’s neighbours even the pro-US one’s want to see an American puppet and convicted criminal in power in Iraq.
Jordan Says Chalabi Lacks Credibility in Iraq
Jordan on Sunday roundly condemned Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress who is seeking a key role in post-war Iraq saying he was a divisive figure with no credibility. Foreign Minister Marwan al-Muasher predicted that Chalabi, who returned to Baghdad after the war with the backing of the Pentagon after decades in exile, would not be the choice of the Iraqi people to head a post-Saddam government. ***“Ahmad Chalabi is a divisive character,” he said in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press. “I think if the Iraqis are given a free choice, he would not emerge as the leader of Iraq. If he is pushed as the leader of Iraq, he will be seen as a U.S. agent.” *** Jordan borders Iraq and has worked with Washington to try to bring peace to the region. In a separate interview on CNN, King Abdullah of also questioned Chalabi’s credibility. “I would imagine that you would want somebody who suffered alongside the Iraqi people. This particular gentleman I think left Iraq when he was 11 or 7, what contact does he have with the people on the street?” King Abdullah asked. Al-Muasher said Jordan has discussed with the Bush administration its concern that Iraq’s new government may be seen as a puppet of Washington, which would fuel anti-American resentment and give ammunition to radicals in the region. Jordanian courts convicted Chalabi in absentia in 1992 on fraud and embezzlement charges after the 1989 failure of the Bank of Petra which he founded and ran, and sentenced him to 22 years in prison.
Maybe the US can contact Jim Henson’s workshop they can knock up a new puppet to suit the current mood of the Iraqi people. Gonzo Chalabi aint going down too well at the moment.
Re: Jordan condemns Chalabi, says lacks credibility in Iraq
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Malik73: *
**"Ahmad Chalabi is a divisive character," [al Muasher] said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press. "I think if the Iraqis are given a free choice, he would not emerge as the leader of Iraq. If he is pushed as the leader of Iraq, he will be seen as a U.S. agent."
"I would imagine that you would want somebody who suffered alongside the Iraqi people. This particular gentleman I think left Iraq when he was 11 or 7, what contact does he have with the people on the street?"***
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Finally, two Arab govt'l. officials who speak with some sense and accuracy. How well does this bode for Iraq's future regional stability and regional relationships - considering that its own neighbours will perceive of the new Iraqi government as unrepresentative and weak?
Besides Israel, UK, and the US, which countries will genuinely perceive this type of Iraqi govt. as a representative one?
Re: Re: Jordan condemns Chalabi, says lacks credibility in Iraq
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Nadia_H: *
Finally, two Arab govt'l. officials who speak with some sense and accuracy. How well does this bode for Iraq's future regional stability and regional relationships - considering that its own neighbours will perceive of the new Iraqi government as unrepresentative and weak?
Besides Israel, UK, and the US, which countries will genuinely perceive this type of Iraqi govt. as a representative one?
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^
thats the whole world. there is no other country beside these 3. :-)
Well, if Israel/UK/US are going to be the only ones who perceive of a new Iraqi government as truly legitimate, then that might pose some messy problems for Iraq's relationships with its neighbours in the future. If you are not even perceived of as representative, what sort of sustainable or healthy relationship can you have with your regional neighbours?
Malik73's article gives this quote from the Jordanian FM: "Ahmad Chalabi is a divisive character. I think if the Iraqis are given a free choice, he would not emerge as the leader of Iraq. If he is pushed as the leader of Iraq, he will be seen as a U.S. agent." i thought that Chalabi had stated he wasn't interested in pursuing a political career in Iraq. i guess he is having second thoughts.
I think a part of the plan may be to provoke Iraq's neighbors into vocal opposition. It has always been Bush's tactic on domestic issues: create an opposition focused on one point then pull a 180 and deny everything you said earlier and attack the opposition for attacking you. If we get Syria, Jordan, Iran, etc to use this as their main [but not only] point and then prove them wrong we can say they were bent on undermining us all along. That would set up the evil personification of the enemy that is needed for the domestic audience to back whatever actions the admin decides upon.
A little jealousy perhaps? Jordan was actively considered to be a viable choice for a role in the administration of a post Saddam Iraq. A little Chalabi bashing might work out well for them:
Jordan to consider request to extend auspices over Iraq
By Ora Coren, Ha’aretz Correspondent
DAVOS, Switzerland - Jordanian King Abdallah would favorably consider an American request to extend the auspices of the monarchy over Iraq for a temporary period after the expected U.S.-led attack on Saddam Hussein’s regime, if the Americans ask, according to senior political sources participating in the World Ecnomic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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Originally posted by underthedome:
Isn't Jordan a puppet of the U.S., if so is the puppet now going against its puppet master? Haha, can't have it both ways Malik, make up your mind.
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I think the only people who should be allowed to make up their minds are the Iraqi people, not some foreign occupying power which is increasingly despised by those it occupies. Is real Iraqi freedom to much for you to handle now?:)
After a war one doesn't turn over the reigns instantly Malik, or a civil war is almost certain. . The end of the war has not even been declared yet (reportedly it will be sometime this week). Steps will be taken to assure a smooth transition to an Iraqi run government, but this will take time. In order to have and maintain real Iraqi freedom it's going to take hard work and cooperation by many. U.S. exiting Iraq won’t help anyone in the long run.
U.S. exiting Iraq won’t help anyone in the long run.<<
IMHO, it would. Immediately withdraw all American and British forces (and the handfuls of Australian and Canadian military personnel); get the UN in there. Set up a peacekeeping force comprised mostly of Indonesians and Africans, some Europeans as well. There is no reason whatsoever for the US to stay any longer now. Their stated goal of 'liberating' (i hate using that word) Iraq has long since finished. Now for democracy to take hold there, they must leave at once.
Steps will be taken to assure a smooth transition to an Iraqi run government, but this will take time.
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Steps have already been taken to ensure that Iraqi's get a government that American's prefer, not Iraqi's i.e. through statements of US officials ruling out what form of government Iraq can have, the arrest of local leaders, the installation of Saddam's Baathists in towns like Basra and Kirkuk, and the shooting dead of protestors etc. Iraqi people are showing their animosity towards American occupation now on a daily basis throughout Iraq, and an American occupation will lead to greater instabiltity and violence. Things have not gone to plan for the Ameican's in Iraq, they are being greeted with stones not flowers as they expected ... so prepare for a bloody stay.
Steps have already been taken to ensure that Iraqi's get a government that American's prefer, not Iraqi's i.e. through statements of US officials ruling out what form of government Iraq can have, the arrest of local leaders, the installation of Saddam's Baathists in towns like Basra and Kirkuk, and the shooting dead of protestors etc. Iraqi people are showing their animosity towards American occupation now on a daily basis throughout Iraq, and an American occupation will lead to greater instabiltity and violence. Things have not gone to plan for the Ameican's in Iraq, they are being greeted with stones not flowers as they expected ... so prepare for a bloody stay.
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Blah Blah Malik. The truth is you rather see an Iraq that is poor and dysfunctional but Anti-American rather than one that is healthy and productive and pro-American.
U.S. exiting Iraq won’t help anyone in the long run.<<
IMHO, it would. Immediately withdraw all American and British forces (and the handfuls of Australian and Canadian military personnel); get the UN in there. Set up a peacekeeping force comprised mostly of Indonesians and Africans, some Europeans as well. There is no reason whatsoever for the US to stay any longer now. Their stated goal of 'liberating' (i hate using that word) Iraq has long since finished. Now for democracy to take hold there, they must leave at once.
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Ok back to reality. You want the U.S. to hand over Iraq’s future to those who opposed it's freedom?
Blah Blah Malik. The truth is you rather see an Iraq that is poor and dysfunctional but Anti-American rather than one that is healthy and productive and pro-American.
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Let me get this straight. Do you think that Iraq cannot be rich, healthy and productive without being "pro-American"?
Let me get this straight. Do you think that Iraq cannot be rich, healthy and productive without being "pro-American"?
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Not at all, I'm simply stating that given the choice you would rather see a dismal Iraq that is anti-American rather than a successful Iraq that is pro-American.
Not at all, I'm simply stating that given the choice you would rather see a dismal Iraq that is anti-American rather than a successful Iraq that is pro-American.
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And again, why does Iraq have to be dismal if it is "anti-American"? Does success only come from being "pro-American"?
I want to see a fully independent, sovereign and free Iraq, where only the Iraqi people are allowed to choose what form of government they want, be that secular, theocratic or otherwise. That will lead to a successful, prosperous, and happy Iraq. No outside powers have the right to dictate what form of government Iraq should and should not have, nor do they have the right to install it's own stooges in power. That will lead to a dismal Iraq.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by underthedome: *
Ok back to reality. You want the U.S. to hand over Iraq’s future to those **who opposed it's freedom?*
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Many countries have opposed Iraq's freedom from the 1920s onwards, including the US. Again - why not have peacekeepers from Malaysia, Indonesia, some African and European countries. The US withdrawing from Iraqi soil would send a clear message that the US admin. is not interested in occupying Iraq. Staying put and flying in Iraqi exiles who chose a life of luxury in London, jet-setting from conferences that were funded by the US admin., sends only one message to the rest of the world - that the US is interested in dictating the terms of democracy to Iraq. In my books, that's not democracy. That's called dictatorship by proxy.