In Iraq, Wrongs Made a Right [L. Paul Bremer's NYT Op-Ed]

The NY Times ^ | Jan 13, 2006 | L. Paul Bremer

[summer]

L. Paul Bremmer

THE recent debate set off by the publication of my book about my time in Iraq has shed more heat than light....

And while I had concerns about the quality of Iraqi forces two years ago, their training has since been revamped. Today they are playing an increasingly important role in defending Iraq.

Despite the missteps and setbacks, there is little question that, thanks to efforts by the American-led coalition, enormous political and economic progress is being made in Iraq today.

... Iraqis voted in the country's first genuine elections. Then they wrote and approved a new Constitution. And last month 70 percent of voters turned out to elect a new Parliament. ...

As for Iraq's economy, at liberation it was flat on its back: the World Bank estimated that in 2003 the economy contracted by 41 percent. Now Iraq benefits from an independent central bank, and a new currency whose stability is a remarkable indicator of confidence. The economy is open to foreign investment and commercial laws have been modernized. The International Monetary Fund reports that per-capita income has doubled in the last two years and predicts that Iraq's economy will grow 17 percent this year. No wonder registration of new businesses has jumped 67 percent in the last six months.

.... President Bush has correctly identified Iraq as the central front in the war on terrorism, as Osama bin Laden himself acknowledged when he told his followers "the third world war has begun in Iraq"...

Despite these enormous stakes, some Americans have called for setting a timetable for our withdrawal or even pulling out now. This would be a historic mistake: a betrayal of the sacrifices Americans and Iraqis have made...

[summer]

This author bio appeared at the bottom of the Op-Ed piece:

L. Paul Bremer III, the former director of the Coalition Provisional Authority, is the author of "My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope."

I always really liked L. Paul Bremmer. I thought he was extremely brave to take on the job that he did, and despite enormous difficulties, I thought he did very well.

I only posted the intro and conclusion of his Op-Ed piece because I could not give justice to all the lessons he learned and mentioned in this piece by just posting an excerpt. So, read the entire article to learn more!

[summer]

BTW, his book was recently reviewed by the NYT.

[summer]

PS The caption on the photo should have only one "m" in Bremer. Sorry 'bout that!

[summer]

I was wondering if you or anyone else out there had read his book yet...

[OldFriend]

Clearly Bremer has read no military history and believes a war can be a perfect thing, with everything going exactly as planned. All the enemies cooperate and the weather is a steady 70 degrees.

[freedom4me]

Sounds like the book must have a "sour grapes" tone to it for him to have to correct the impression it leaves with people.

[wardaddy]

I have not dear, but I should