Al-Maliki headed for coup removal? Intriguing analysis by Tom Hayden.

[robertpaulsen]

Published on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 by the Huffington Post
U.S. Retreat from Iraq? The Secret Story
by Tom Hayden


According to credible Iraqi sources in London and Amman, a secret story of America's diplomatic exit strategy from Iraq is rapidly unfolding. The key events include:

First, James Baker told one of Saddam Hussein's lawyers that Tariq Aziz, former deputy prime minister, would be released from detention by the end of this year, in hope that he will negotiate with the US on behalf of the Baath Party leadership. The discussion recently took place in Amman, according to the Iraqi paper al-Quds al-Arabi.

snip

Fifth, Bush security adviser Stephen Hadley carried a six-point message for Iraqi officials on his recent trip to Baghdad:

* include Iraqi resistance and opposition leaders in any initiative towards national reconciliation;general amnesty for the armed resistance fighters;

* dissolve the Iraqi commission charged with banning the Baath Party;

* start the disbanding of militias and death squads;

* cancel any federalism proposal to divide Iraq into three regions, and combine central authority for the central government with greater self-rule for local governors;

* distribute oil revenues in a fair manner to all Iraqis, including the Sunnis whose regions lack the resource.


Prime Minister Al-Maliki was unable to accept the American proposals because of his institutional allegiance to Shiite parties who believe their historic moment has arrived after one thousand years of Sunni domination. That Shiite refusal has accelerated secret American efforts to pressure, re-organize, or remove the elected al-Maliki regime from power.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1122-20.htm

My take? Instigating a coup against Al-Maliki will be just as successful as the coup we orchestrated against Diem in Vietnam. Yet another example of the real lessons of Vietnam that have not been learned by the powers that be.

[roamer65]

1. Sorry, BushCo. The "genie is out of the bottle".

I hate to say it, but civil war in Iraq is inevitable. No way will the Shi'ites accept Baath party rule now.

...and I think you are absolutely correct on your Diem comparison. You beat me to it.;)

[robertpaulsen]

6. I'm afraid we'll exit Iraq the same way we exited Vietnam.

Flying away in helicopters fleeing devastation. This is truly a no-win situation.

[seemslikeadream]

2. Let the games begin

New Iraq has slipped into the orbit of Iran.

[robertpaulsen]

5. That's the real reality.

My fear is that "the crazies" in power will use this as the excuse to bomb Iran. Those are games we just can't afford to play.

:hi:

[Me.]

3. K & R

Happy Thankfullness RP

[robertpaulsen]

4. Same to you, Me.

In the last 15 days I've found a lot to be thankful for!