so, the ONLY way I'll think Iraqi elections are legit is if..

[Lerkfish]

-- allawi is NOT running things after the newly elected arrangers arrange things.
-- US military is asked to leave, and does so.
-- Halliburton releases their tentacles and allows local ownership of oil infrastructure.
-- insurgency ceases.


unless all of the above conditions are met, at least partially, I still contend the whole election was a sham, like our own.

[mopinko]

1. add

they are allowed to cancel the long term contracts that bremmer signed for them.

[bryant69]

2. Seems like you aren't going to see Iraqi Elections as a Success then

I don't know about the first one--nobody will until the end of the week, I guess. The insurgency is unlikely to cease however, due to the ongoing conflict between Shiite and Sunni--Sunni didn't vote as much in the election, and so won't have much reason to put down their arms.

I also don't see what Halliburton has to do with the election--I guess you could say it will only be a success if the new government nationalizes the Oil Fields and declares null and void any contracts with Halliburton.

Personally I'm not sure if seeing the election in black and white terms is the best, because it can't help but fail given conditions on the ground. ALternatively it could be a partial success if it gives us a new government and that government requests our departure (or we negotiate a withdrawel anyway).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Lerkfish]

3. valid point. But I'm getting at all those things indicate a vassal state

rather than a true democracy. All those things indicate a propping up of a US=approved govt, rather than Iraqis governing themselves.

As long as theocratic neocons control their leaders, their oil infrastructure, and the permanence of US military bases, it will not be truly "free"...therefore the "free elections" are a sham.