The Stealth Handover

[Joe Fields]

Running true to form, the Bush administration swerved the entire world, by handing the remnants of political power in Iraq over to the Iraqi interim government two days before the intended date. This historic act was done by stealth in the middle of the night U.S. time, in a short, austere ceremony involving only a handful of officials. It seems to be the only way that this administration knows how to conduct business.

The formation and full acknowledgement of a new government is a world event, worthy of pomp and circumstance. We treated the handing of the reins of the last vestiges of authority over to the Iraqis as though it was something to be ashamed of. Immediately following the ceremony, Paul Bremer wasted no time hopping a plane and getting the hell out of Dodge.

Is this the way to conduct world affairs? I know that the White House response was that this was done to blunt insurgent's plans for stepped up attacks against U.S. forces and Iraqi authority. I believe it won't make a difference. What has really changed on the ground that would make the terrorists/insurgents/foreign nationals/al-Qaeda/freedom fighters/whateveryouwannacallthem change their philosophy, strategy and actions? I believe that we are in for an increased intensity in fighting from here on. The numbers of insurgents increase daily, as does their resolve and boldness. There has been absolutely no indication that we can expect anything other than increasing violence. It's hard to imagine a settling down of the country until a representative government is elected by the citizens of Iraq and the last of the coalition forces have left. This is why it baffles me that the handover ceremony wasn't done on a world stage, which would have helped to make it all seem more legitimized, and would have given the impression, whether it was true or not, that we are weaning ourselves from Iraq. We know nothing could be further from the truth, but the symbolism would have carried a lot of influence throughout the world. As someone once said, (I don't know who said it) perception is everything. Instead, with his overwhelming need for secrecy, Bush chose to conduct business like a thief in the night, further lowering our prestige and sending an unmistakable message to the insurgents, which says that we are scared shitless of them and that we are fully aware they control events in the region.

To all of this, I can only say one thing. BRILLIANT!


Joe Fields

[ronatchig]

1. Well I think

they moved the timing up to get the people doing it thru it alive. The resistance made no secret of their desire blow this deal up literally.
the whole thing is a sham at any rate. A propaganda talking point at best. Bushco/Halburton has a strangle hold on the power , they are merely trying to pull a blanket over the mess. Now the velvet glove tattered as it was has been thrown into the fire.

[keithyboy]

2. "Stealth' handover of a 'stealh' democracy.

All hell is about to break out in Iraq. Cash in your stocks within the next two weeks. Mark my words. We have more enemies now than at the beginning of the Iraqi invasion and they ain't going away.

[Zero Gravitas]

3. What a mess

They even have to conduct their meaningless propoaganda stunts in secret becuase they've fucked up so badly.