Allawi says strong security forces can save Iraq

[ECH1969]

Former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, tipped to be security supremo in a new administration, called on Tuesday for Iraq's forces to be reinforced to prevent sectarian conflict exploding into all-out civil war.

"We are in the early stages of a civil war. We hope we don't get to the point of no return," he said at the headquarters of his Iraqi List, a cross-sectarian party that is the fourth biggest bloc in parliament with a tenth of the seats.

"We mustn't get to that stage. We must strengthen the army, police, security and intelligence services. If we make them capable then we can stop ourselves before reaching the fatal point. If not, the situation will be disastrous."

The creation of a new Security Council announced this week is, political sources say, designed to bypass the wrangling over a unity government and give Allawi, as the council's likely head, a major role in fighting armed groups on all sides.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC144939.htm

[HereSince1628]

1. I have no doubt. Return to a dictatorship with Baathist-like strong

security forces and the insurgency would be suppressed.

Sad solution.

[xultar]

2. Basically a return to the old.

[hadrons]

3. "Allawi says strong security forces can save Iraq", Allawi continues ...

"but now that since we don't have one ... see ya!!!!"

[LynnTheDem]

4. Like Saddam Hussein's previous security force?

We're already WORSE than Hussein. How much WORSE can we go?!

[IndianaGreen]

11. Exactly! Didn't Allawi personally execute some detainees 2 years ago?

Allawi may be a thug, but he is a secular thug!

[coalition_unwilling]

12. Yup, about two weeks before his appointment as inter rim PM,

Allawi is alleged to have executed two detainees personally at a CIA-run holding facility in Baghdad. I'm in a hurry, so I can't source it fully today. But I will try to source it tomorrow if anyone needs that.

[sidpleasant]

5. This is nonsense

"Tipped to be security supremo in a new administration?" Bullsh*t. Muqtada Sadr hates Alawi and has specifically ruled out Alawi's participation in any new cabinet. Sadr is the strongest player in the new parliament.

[enigma000]

6. Allawi has support with the Kurds and Sunni and secular blocs

With no majority bloc in Iraq, the UIA is under 50%. The possibility exists the secular Shia, Kurds, and Sunnis will get together. Allawi would then have to pick off some parties inside the UIA and become PM or take on another high level position.

[Kagemusha]

7. And therefore nullify the elections in deed.

That power council idea was a good stab at that too.

[ECH1969]

8. The SCRII has shown willing to give up the Interor Minstry

If they get their guy Abdul Mahdi as PM. The UIA is made up of four different parties.

[Kagemusha]

9. Uh sure they'll give it up in exchange for total control of the southeast.

They're really playing fast and loose with Iraq's territorial integrity here. Anything to get what they want and shut out Sadr I guess? We'll see...

[ECH1969]

10. Harkim hates Sadr

There is alot of inter UIA rivalry.