2 June 2004 - Wednesday
Iraqi governance: positive developments
I am now going to say something positive about the Bush administration's plans for Iraq. I do like one aspect of its model very much. I like the June 30 deadline.
This deadline for transfer of sovereignty has been criticized by all sides. Some hawks and doves think the deadline too soon, and some hawks and doves think the deadline too late. I think June 30 is now as good as any other date, and in any case I think that having some firm deadline is essential.
Everybody in Iraq knows that on June 30, political power will fall into the hands of a native provisional government. The Baathists know this. Al Sadr knows this. Al Qaeda knows this.
If the deadline were elastic, then insurgents could mount a major attack shortly before the transfer and claim credit for American capitulation. Alternatively, insurgents could mount an attack and frighten the US into retaining power; this could be just as dangerous in the long run.
The fact that the June 30 deadline has been set for months provides security against any such blackmail. It will also lend an aura of inexorability to Iraqi self-government.
Lest it be said that I am going soft on American hegemony, however, I am also glad that the Iraqi Governing Council seems to have outmaneuvered the UN and the USA, announcing its own choices for interim president and prime minister. The difference in democratic legitimacy is enormous.
| Posted by Wilson at 13:19 Central | TrackBack| Report submitted to the Power Desk
I was wondering when you would show up, Bill. I posted this just for you. Thought you would appreciate hearing me say something vaguely approbatory about our attitude toward Iraq for once. ;-)
The thoughts of Wilson on 3 June 2004 - 18:56 Central+ + + + +
(You must preview your comment before posting it)
I'm with you on this one, Wilson.
The more Iraqis feel that they are making real steps toward true sovereignty, the more they will take ownership of the results. I've appreciated certain pronouncements we've made, such as "if they ask us to, we'll leave".
I'm a natural optimist, but there is much to be optimistic about. The alternative (which appears to have been chosen by two of my Bush-bashing coworkers, much to my silent irritation) is to practically hope for the plan to fail and Iraq to descend into chaos. That's an alternative I can't choose.
The thoughts of Bill on 3 June 2004 - 17:00 Central+ + + + +