Bremer Rejects Critique of Iraq Authority

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=6&u=/ap/20031119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_italian_resignation_1

<snip>
ROME - The chief U.S. administrator in Iraq (news - web sites), L. Paul Bremer, rejected accusations that the provisional authority is inefficient and out of touch with Iraqis, saying in remarks published Wednesday that it has brought peace to almost 90 percent of the country.

It was Bremer's first comment from since an Italian member of the administration stepped down this week saying that "the provisional authority simply doesn't work" and that only an interim authority headed by the United Nations (news - web sites) could turn things around.

The Italian, Marco Calamai, a special counselor to the authority in the southern province of Dhi Qar, also claimed the American-led administration was mismanaging the country's reconstruction and that the British and Americans had marginalized the Italians.

"I don't know what he's talking about," Bremer was quoted as saying in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

Bremer said that more than $20 million had been spent in the area of Nasiriyah alone since June. Calamai had complained that $400,000 a month had been destined for the region but that only a fraction had been spent because of bureaucratic delays from Baghdad.

Bremer also stressed that the administration is pressing the United Nations to come back to Iraq, and pointed out that it was their decision to leave Iraq and shun protection from U.S.-led coalition forces.

The United Nations pulled all international staff out of Baghdad early this month after two bombings at U.N. headquarters — one of which killed 22 people, including the top U.N. envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Bremer strongly denied Calamai's accusation that non-Americans or non-British in the coalition were being marginalized, citing 17 national groups working with the authority.

[Birthmark]

1. Did anyone else laugh hysterically at this?

The contention is that the provisional authority is out of touch, and Bremer responds, "I don't know what he's talking about".

[Spazito]

2. LOL Good catch!

I love it!

[cliss]

3. Yes......

just a couple of weeks after L. Paul Bremer arrived in Baghdad, a massive security was set up to protect the Americans. Bremer took over one of Saddam's palaces for the sake of convenience.

There have been lots of bombings, but so far Bush's cousin has escaped unscathed. He's taken lots of flak for how he's handling thigs so far. The Red Cross has gone, the UN cleared out, and now there's just the US, the Brits and a few other scattered troops.

Paul sat down in Saddam's chair. It's a gilded Louis XIV antique, probably worth $thousands$. It's garish because it's been reupholstered in a bright yellow velvet, but still. It's higher up, so it automatically confers him with authority.....royalty.....

As he rubs the yellow velvet on the arm, he thinks about how his life has changed. He likes the feeling of being in charge of 22 million people. It feels......seductive. (but, risky).