U.S. Moves to Reassert Itself in Iraq Affairs

[leftchick]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usiraq20may20,0,1497343.story?coll=la-home-headlines

<snip>

Both before and after the election, the Bush administration tried to scale back its role and shift decisions to the Iraqi leadership. U.S. officials had feared that a continued high profile might prove counterproductive, giving the impression that Iraqi government leaders were not acting independently.

But in recent weeks, as formation of the new government inched along and the insurgency escalated, some Iraqi officials began telling the Americans that they needed more support and mediation to overcome differences among factions, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

"These are Iraqi issues. But that doesn't mean we can't make use of American experience and friendly advice," said Karim Khutar Almusawi of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a leading Shiite Muslim political party.

The new American approach came clearly into focus this week. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick, visiting Iraq on Thursday, called for "an inclusive process" in governing the country and urged action on a new constitution. His trip came days after a visit by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

[rodeodance]

1. anonymity again--"U.S. officials"

U.S. officials acknowledged that they were pressing hard for Iraq to move ahead. Although Iraqis are making the choices, the officials said, Washington has "red lines" that its partners must not cross. For instance, the U.S. insists that the Iraqi government be democratic and that the country be pluralistic, yet united, one official said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of rules that forbid many U.S. officials from talking publicly unless they restrict themselves to the language of prepared policy statements.

One official said that although the Iraqis were "the ultimate determinants of their own destiny … we have 140,000 troops here, and they are getting shot at."

"We're also spending a lot of money. We don't dictate action plans," the official said. "But we constantly remind them that we're working toward the same goal, and we have our 'red lines.' " .

[rodeodance]

2. call it the heavy hand of the US who controls the purse

[Roland99]

3. The PNAC experiment is starting to fail

buh-bye, sovereign Iraq.

[Benhurst]

5. Obviously they need a "Patriot" Act or two. BushAmerica

is so good when it comes to freedom and democracy.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. So let's see

We invade Iraq and dismantle their government and security forces. Then we create a power vacuum and the country devolves into chaos, so then the Iraqis end up begging us to run their country. Very clever.

[leftchick]

6. and who didn't see that coming?

:eyes:

[rocktivity]

16. You me a royalty, Leftchick!

My official response to stories like this is, "Hands up who DIDN'T see this coming!"

:hi:
rocknation

[Roland99]

7. So much for no "nation-building", eh?

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Bush has proved he doesn't do nation building

the only thing he knows how to do is nation destroying and bankruptcy. The man doesn't have a constructive bone in his body.

[Boo Boo]

9. It would help if the Bushies actually

knew how to mediate.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. I'd like to express some gratitude to the LA Times --

they've got some good reporting in print today.

[donsu]

11. what a laugh - the bushgang never stopped running Iraq

nt

[katinmn]

22. exactly. What a joke- "Reinsert"

[geek tragedy]

12. Welcome to the quagmire. Can't afford to stay, can't afford to withdraw.

[callous taoboy]

21. "Hello- I must be going. I've come to say I cannot stay

I must be going."
Groucho Marx

[geckosfeet]

13. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

As the stomach turns.

[rocktivity]

14. I thought it IRAQ'S job to re-assert itself in Iraq's affairs.

:shrug:
rocknation

[meppie-meppie not]

15. as long as they don't mess with US pipeline plans

[dbt]

17. All together now: "FLIP FLOP!"

bu$h is a FLIP FLOPPER. bu$h says one thing, but does another. Flippy the Flip Flopper.

Feel free to add your own.

:evilgrin:

[ckramer]

18. You broke it, you fix it.

Iraq = clueless boosh's worst nightmare.

[The_Casual_Observer]

19. Iraq is out of control, they don't have the slightest idea

of how to fix it. What possible good is it going to do to have condi and this other Zoellick neocon idiot there proffering more stupid advice. Condi and that guy are lucky some pissed off Iraqis didn't simply snuff them out as they strutted around the green zone in their battle frocks.

[cyberpj]

20. Just like when Afghanistan ASKED US to build military bases there, right?

This was either planned or just more evidence of total inability to predict what so many of us saw coming long ago.

As more and more of the "coalition" leave us, Iraq will finally be our very own colony.