US Turns over Al-Anbar;
Is al-Maliki Too Cocky?
The US has handed over security duties in al-Anbar Province to Iraqi troops and police. Maj. Gen. John Kelly warns,however,that al-Anbar needs an infusion from the central government of cash for reconstruction if the province is to avoid going into insurgency yet again.
McClatchy reports on fears of American officials that Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki has become over-confident. Many of the relative successes his troops have had have depended on American close air support and logistical help, something these observers do not believe he can dispense with so soon.
There are also worries that al-Maliki wants to take over the Awakening Councils so that he can purge the Sunni Arabs serving in them.
The article also reveals that there has been a deterioration in the security situation in Basra in recent weeks, with a spike in assassinations. The American official who admitted this deterioration had to remain anonymous since his assessment is more negative than the facade put up by the Bush administration. It is a hell of a note when propaganda is the official story and people have to hide behind aliases if they just want to speak the truth.
Raed translates a leaked draft of the security agreement being negotiated between al-Maliki and Bush. Despite al-Maliki's emphasis in news conferences on preserving Iraq sovereignty, the draft agreement subordinates Iraq to the US military in several articles.
McClatchy reports political violence in Iraq on Sunday:
' Baghdad
Three civilians were injured by an adhesive bomb that was attached to their car. The incident took place in al Taharriyat intersection in Karrada neighborhood in downtown Baghdad around 12:30 p.m.
Around 7:00 pm. An IED explosion targeted the car of Emad Sa’id Jasim al Mish’hadani, the leader of the Sahwa council in Tarmiyah north of Baghdad. Al Mish’hadani was injured seriously.
Police found one unidentified body in Talbiyah neighborhood in east Baghdad.
Kirkuk
A child was killed and two other children were injured by a roadside bomb that targeted a patrol Kirkuk emergency forces in al Qadisiyah neighborhood in downtown Kirkuk city.
Ten people were injured including five guards work for Abdul Ameer Mahdi; the judge of Tuz Khurmatu court when a suicide car bomb targeted the convoy of Judge Mahdi on the road between Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu around 11:45 a.m.
Diyala
Three farmers (two brothers and their nephew were killed by a bomb that was planted inside the water pump of their farm in al Othmaniyah village south of Baquba on Monday evening.'
Labels: Iraq
posted by Juan Cole @ 9/02/2008 12:45:00 AM
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3 Comments:
McClatchy reports on fears of American officials that Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki has become over-confident.
Yeah, the American embassy has been pushing that line for weeks. The question is: should we believe them? or is it that they are unable to understand Maliki's motivation, so they come out with this sort of sneering, belittling, remark?
Sounds like the embassy still believes that Maliki is playing chicken.
Still, it must be true that the US planned the Iraqi army, and its training, such that they could never be independent.
The important thing about this SOFA "agreement" is that it's not an agreement.
It's a dead letter. Return to sender. No such number. No such zone.
Al Maliki has spent months diddling around not signing it and now he flat out says he's not going to sign it.
It is so dead that the Neocons have leaked parts of it to the MSM to publish, like a "partial birth abortion", together with the word "agreement".
It is not dead, say they. It lives! It is like Ariel Sharon, who is not dead either.
I was laughing by the McClathy item's fourth paragraph!!
When he suddenly changed his negotiating team for the so-called security agreement, I thought he just might try to stonewall the talks, run out the clock for the UNSC mandate, and then demand that all foreign forces leave ASAP. We would then likely be treated to seeing the US mimic the Russian "withdrawl" from Georgia. He only has to hold out for 4 months--121 more days. It becomes even clearer now why Sadr remains in Iran. I suspect if Maliki's intent to run out the clock becomes plain to US Imperial officials, they will try to provide a rationale similar to Russia's and claim the need to remain to protect the Kurds from the Iraqis. Will the EU then treaten sanctions against the US if this scenario becomes reality?
The greatest moment for US Imperial policy weakness is during the last months of the Emperor's election at a time when the outgoing Emperor cannot be re-elected. The Iranians know this fact well and have likely told Maliki to hold fast. And with the US provocation of Russia, there will be NO new UNSC mandate as the Russians will surely use their veto.
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