US now looking to install a PM in Iraq

[denverbill]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/28/1080412237911.html


US now looking to install a PM in Iraq
By Jonathan Steele in Baghdad
March 29, 2004

The United States wants to transfer power in Iraq to a hand-picked prime minister, abandoning plans for an expansion of the current 25-member governing council, coalition officials in Baghdad say.

With less than 100 days before the US occupation authorities are to transfer sovereignty on June 30, fears of wrangling among Iraqi politicians has forced Washington to make its third switch of strategy in six months.

The search is now on for an Iraqi to serve as chief executive. He will almost certainly be from the Shia Muslim majority, and probably a secular technocrat. It is not clear if Iraqi agreement on this issue has been sought.

<snip>

Got Democracy?

[Gin]

1. If they chose Chalabi...all hell will break loose.

surely...they won't be that stupid.

[JeebusH]

3. Chalabi wouldn't take the job ....

as much as he would like to, Chalabi is too smart (though Dumbya is stupid enough to offer it) ... but the puppet, err PM, would be a Chalabi stoogie

[0007]

21. I don't believe that for one second - then again it depends

on what you know.

[AlCzervik]

4. I dont think

that is will be chalabi, he is distrusted by many Iraqi's from what i have read, in fact it seems that they distrust most of the INC. On Frontline they did a great show about the war , Chalabi showed up in Baghdad with his own personal army, the us military doesnt like him.

[mmm]

10. I cannot think of a worse move.If they install Chalabi, don't be surprised

Set the firestorm alight and let it rage.

[leftchick]

17. It does not matter who the US chooses...

he will be a walking dead man (or woman).

[saigon68]

32. I agree

He/She won't last long

[Frances]

2. Why not the CEO of Halliburton?

Isn't that what this war was really about?

[SOS]

31. Or maybe they will

import a King from Syria. That worked out real well for the British back in 1921....
:eyes:

[tom_paine]

5. I hear Ferd Marcos and the Shah of Iran are available...

Pichochet might be a little easier to "coax from retirement".

[mmm]

9. I never thought of those guys. I wonder if Kissinger is interested?

[bif]

6. Why not a Viceroy?

If it's going to be a sham, do it right for Pete's sake!

[yellowcanine]

11. James Baker would be a good choice.

At least it would keep him from interfering in the U.S. election in November.

[denverbill]

13. I vote for Wolfowitz and Perle. It's their mess, let them clean it up.

We'll send them to Baghdad and tell them they can come home when the problem is solved.

It'll give them a chance to show what true patriots they are, since neither had a chance to serve in the military.

[jpak]

15. I heard Wolfowitz may be tapped for US ambassador

to Free I-raq...

[leftchick]

18. I could see bremer as a viceroy!

would he be able to wear some sort of cool headpiece for his fat head?

[Cat Atomic]

7. Same shit, different country.

Did anyone ever believe the Bush Administration was going to establish an actual democracy in Iraq? They just want to appoint a "fiendly" dictator in Iraq. I'm surprised it took them this long to admit it.

[goclark]

8. Sounds like a real flip flop to me

Sounds like The Imperial House of Pancakes is making another flip flop .

[yellowcanine]

12. Anybody get the feeling that * is "winging it" in Iraq?

Notice that the *bots don't even bother to dispute it when someone says they didn't have a plan for Iraq after the conquest?

[skooooo]

29. Why not? Bush "winging it" here at home....

Seems to keep most people satisfied, for some reason.

[fizzana]

14. Their track record suggests that they will opt for the most

stupid choice. Therefore Chalabi is a lock.

[daleo]

22. This sounds about right

Although Chalabi's life insurance provider may insist that he turn down the offer. Perhaps they could appoint Karzai to Iraq, and Chalabi to Afghanistan - it's time to think outside of the box.

[truthspeaker]

16. Here's a radical idea: how about Iraqis elect a parliament

that chooses a Prime Minister.

Ha ha, just kidding! Silly Iraqis, democracy is for white people!

[NickB79]

19. I want a bumper sticker that says that!

With the Trix Rabbit behind it: Silly Iraqis, democracy is for white people!

[Desperadoe]

24. "I want a bumper sticker that says that!"

I don't ever, ever do bumper stickers but.................if some enterprising Du'er were to mass produce a few of these and sell them, with proceeds to DU, I would gladly pay at least $30.00 for each one.

[markses]

20. How about Ahmen Chalabi

I hear he's really honest....:eyes:

[zonmoy]

23. by pm

did they really mean prime minister or puppet master.

[markus]

25. Why! the hell are we reading this in an .au publication

and not in the U.S. media? This is a major step back and close to an admission of failure.

[Rex]

26. George Bush's America - "Installing one dictator at a time,

because we care and it shows!" :evilgrin:

[Voltaire99]

27. So, the hundreds of dead US soldiers and thousands of dead Iraqis...

...gave their lives for the opposite of democracy.

Mission accomplished!

[markus]

28. This needs a bump

Why is this not getting reported elsehwere? It would be a massive admission of failure by the authority to put together a reasonable government by the artificial deadline.

Either there's something smelly with this story, or it's being quashed in the U.S. media.

Is this a reliable paper?

[74dodgedart]

30. He may be a brutal dictator but, he'll be our brutal dictator