USAID Paper Details Security Crisis in Iraq

[struggle4progress]

By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 17, 2006; Page A13

The U.S. Agency for International Development paints a dire and detailed picture of the Iraq security situation in its request for contractors to bid on its $1.32 billion, 28-month project to help stabilize 10 major Iraqi cities.

The USAID program, outlined in a Jan. 2 paper, envisions development between 2006 and 2008 of partnerships in cities that make up more than half of Iraq's population. Those cities would include Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Kirkuk and Najaf. The project, which to date has only $30 million of the proposed funds, will try to reduce violence by creating jobs, revitalizing community infrastructure, and mitigating ethnic and religious conflicts ...

The breakdown of Iraqi society and "the absence of state control and an effective police force" have let "criminal elements within Iraqi society have almost free rein," the paper states. Iraqi criminals in some cases "have aligned themselves with most of the combating groups and factions to further their aims" and Baghdad "is reportedly divided into zones controlled by organized criminal groups-clans," it states.

The USAID analysis also raises the potential for political parties to come into armed conflict, as the two main Kurdish parties did in the mid-1990s. "As political parties regain importance in the emerging democracy, there is an increased risk they may devolve into conflict groups," the paper warns ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011601005.html

[leftchick]

1. lotsa luck

:(

[saigon68]

2. Another Rat Hole ---Down which to pour Money $$$$$$

Good thing the seniors have all their drugs paid for now

And the fact there are no hungry people in amerika

</sarcasm>

[Ian David]

3. See related threads

Beyond Spin: The propaganda presidency of George W. Bush.
Topic started by Thom Little on Dec-08-05 02:56 AM (2 replies)
Last modified by cybildisobedience on Dec-08-05 12:48 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=178146

US lines up action against Cuba in UN rights body
Topic started by Robbien on Apr-01-05 09:35 PM (4 replies)
Last modified by Say_What on Apr-03-05 12:31 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=116&topic_id=9743

Top U.S. Foreign Aid Official Steps Down (NPR)
Topic started by eppur_se_muova on Jan-16-06 12:06 AM (3 replies)
Last modified by rodeodance on Jan-16-06 12:44 AM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2370979

Darfur Accountability Act Passes the Senate Unanimously
Topic started by Kire on Apr-23-05 12:37 PM (3 replies)
Last modified by DulceDecorum on Apr-23-05 02:40 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=167&topic_id=1774

PNAC 101 - Rise of the Neocons
Topic started by Open Edit on Nov-12-05 03:59 PM (5 replies)
Last modified by LunaC on Dec-15-05 04:12 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=358&topic_id=701

[maddezmom]

4. kick

[kskiska]

5. Official US agency paints dire picture of 'out-of-control' Iraq

· Analysis issued by USAid in reconstruction effort
· Account belies picture painted by White House

An official assessment drawn up by the US foreign aid agency depicts the security situation in Iraq as dire, amounting to a "social breakdown" in which criminals have "almost free rein".

The "conflict assessment" is an attachment to an invitation to contractors to bid on a project rehabilitating Iraqi cities published earlier this month by the US Agency for International Development (USAid).

The picture it paints is not only darker than the optimistic accounts from the White House and the Pentagon, it also gives a more complex profile of the insurgency than the straightforward "rejectionists, Saddamists and terrorists" described by George Bush.

The USAid analysis talks of an "internecine conflict" involving religious, ethnic, criminal and tribal groups. "It is increasingly common for tribesmen to 'turn in' to the authorities enemies as insurgents - this as a form of tribal revenge," the paper says, casting doubt on the efficacy of counter-insurgent sweeps by coalition and Iraqi forces.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1688730,00.html

[Duer 157099]

6. How novel

"It is increasingly common for tribesmen to 'turn in' to the authorities enemies as insurgents - this as a form of tribal revenge," ...

Seems this sort of thing happens here, too; or is starting to. "With us or with the terrorist" thing, Patriot Act, Gitmo, illegal spying... just our little version of the same.

[laststeamtrain]

7. Official US agency paints dire picture of 'out-of-control' Iraq

Official US agency paints dire picture of 'out-of-control' Iraq
· Analysis issued by USAid in reconstruction effort
· Account belies picture painted by White House

Julian Borger in Washington
Wednesday January 18, 2006
The Guardian


An official assessment drawn up by the US foreign aid agency depicts the security situation in Iraq as dire, amounting to a "social breakdown" in which criminals have "almost free rein".
The "conflict assessment" is an attachment to an invitation to contractors to bid on a project rehabilitating Iraqi cities published earlier this month by the US Agency for International Development (USAid).

The picture it paints is not only darker than the optimistic accounts from the White House and the Pentagon, it also gives a more complex profile of the insurgency than the straightforward "rejectionists, Saddamists and terrorists" described by George Bush.

The USAid analysis talks of an "internecine conflict" involving religious, ethnic, criminal and tribal groups. "It is increasingly common for tribesmen to 'turn in' to the authorities enemies as insurgents - this as a form of tribal revenge," the paper says, casting doubt on the efficacy of counter-insurgent sweeps by coalition and Iraqi forces.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1688730,00.html?gusrc=rss

[sabra]

8. kick

:kick: