Posted on 08/27/2007 5:05:51 PM PDT by Kaslin
Politics Of War: The surge is working, and now Iraq's leaders appear to have forged a political deal that could serve as a template for a lasting peace in the fractious country. What's that you say? First you've heard of it?
That doesn't mean it didn't happen. As the Reuters news service dutifully reported Monday, "Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders announced yesterday they reached consensus on several key measures seen as vital to fostering national reconciliation."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced the deal standing with leaders of Iraq's major political groups — President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni; Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite; and Masoud Barzani, president of semiautonomous Kurdistan.
The deal clears the way for some former members of Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath Party to serve again in government and the military. It also outlines a plan to grant provinces greater control over their affairs, and to release Sunni prisoners held without charge.
Is peace at hand? Maybe not. But this is a promising start, a breakthrough agreement and the beginning of a new Iraq. At the very least, front-page news, right?
(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...
Not every Baath party member was a butcher though.
It wasn’t until 1955 when Germany was allowed a military again
My first flight instructor had been an ME-110 pilot late in the war.
After the war, he ended up enlisting in the USAF.
Maybe we need a definition of "Nazi" here. People who were registered members of the National Socialist party or something else, such as concentration camp guards?
I'm no expert, but ... I believe Hitler's SS was declared a criminal organization and all members of the SS were seen as "untouchable". However, run-of-the-mill Nazis were typically judged on their own merits.
As one who presides over or participates in committee "consensus processes" on a smaller scale, with far fewer divisions between the parties, I am impressed. And quite hopeful -- you don't get to this point unless:
1) One or more factions has caved, or
2) They have actually come to consensus.
They still have to sell it to their respective constituencies. But one of their big selling points is what everyone has to live with if this fails. (Which is not to say that they might be forced to return to the negotiating table again, but having got there once they are more likely to get there again knowing the other sides' issues better.)
When I was stationed at Aviano AB Italy in last half of the 70’s we had three old Nazi’s that were working as contract security augmenting the USAF Security on barracks, BX, CE and Main area compounds entry control gates. They had some stories, pictures etc ........ history lessons , good and bad.
The IBD editorials are must reads every day.
No POW worth their salt gives up.........on either side. But I know what your saying. I have met good and bad from almost every country in the world except France where only good soldiers I met was Foreign Legionnaire’s.
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