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November 27, 2003
what should have been said
Leunig
These guys are about spin.Their real reasons for going to war with Iraq were either a determination to display Australia and Britain as totally loyal allies of the US empire; or they were aware of the real agenda of the US's wider strategic interest in the Middle East, and persuaded themselves that to join the imperial presidencies war would be in Australia and Britains' overall commercial and security interests. But they never came clean. Their political practice was to mislead and manipulate public opinion.
The US plan for democracy in Iraq is for regional caucuses to select a national assembly by the end of May, and this will pick a transitional government by the end of June. The government would take over sovereignty from the occupying power in July, a constitution would be written and democratic elections held by the end of 2005.
What is being said about this plan by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, widely revered as Iraq's most influential Islamic leader is that it does not give any real role to the Iraqi people. Sistani has also said said that as an appointed body the Interim Governing Council lacks legitimacy. From reading Juan Cole, it would appear that Grand Ayatollah Sistani probably has the power, prestige and authority to scuttle the US plan for transitional government, and pressure the US to stay the course to produce a soundly based, decent and democratic government in Iraq.
Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at November 27, 2003 11:20 AM
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