Chalabi says no role for UN in Iraq government

Stuff.co.nz ^ | April 19, 2003

[MadIvan]

I heard this on the radio earlier, but most news outlets are not touching this story. Wonder why?

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Grampa Dave]

Let the UN whore$ handle the garbage removal and cleaning of the streets with judicial punishment from the Free Iraqis if they screw those two tasks up.

[aculeus]

Iraq needs an Ataturk. Someone who will tell the mullahs to get back in their mosques.

[MadIvan]

Further details, buried in the AFP article:

LINK

He said the United Nations should have only a limited role in a post-war Iraq and he reserved his harshest criticisms for France and Germany following their opposition to the US-led invasion.

"The UN has been less than helpful and dealt with Iraq under Saddam Hussein like it was a normal state.

"It did not recognise the seriousness of the oppression in Iraq ... their performance was less than stellar."

He said that even though France and Germany had been liberated from Nazism by the United States, they behaved like "de facto allies of Saddam Hussein."

I'm liking him better all the time.

Regards, Ivan

[Bahbah]

"It did not recognise the seriousness of the oppression in Iraq ... "
I would quibble only slightly with this statement. The UN was well aware of the oppression but was making huge amounts of money off of the oil for food program which was, and remains, the UN's primary concern.

[NordP]

"...It did not recognise the seriousness of the oppression in Iraq ... their performance was less than stellar."

This reminds me of that "Simpson's" episode, where Apu (ah-poo) - the 7 Eleven owner, says to Homer, "You can come out from behind the chips, now...your opportunity to prove your manhood...has long since past."

[3AngelaD]

You are so right. I have been trying to think of what Arab country has people experienced in democracy who could go to Iraq and help to set up a government that isn't mullah-driven. The closet I can think of are the Islamic leaders of India, who, I know, are not exactly perfect, but they do have experience functioning in a multi-religion democracy, with excellent training by the British. The Turks might be able to provide guidance, but I fear that they are too close to the situation and would make the Iraqis paranoid. If Iraq doesn't figure out a way for its competing mullahs/sects to co-exist, it could end up as wretched as Iran. Where is Ataturk when you need him?

[Mister Baredog]

His longer term plans are less clear.

This guy is confusing a lot of folks. It's just going to have to play out, I don't think the media has a clue. My hometown paper today's headline is about Iraqis wanting us out and creating an Islamic state instead. Now granted I did see that feeling on banners yesterday in Baghdad, but that in no way indicates what the Iraqi people want. Just some riled up zealots after Friday prayers. I've even heard media reports lately somehow claiming maybe Iraq was better off before, at least they had electricity and museums and libraries. What idiocy.

[I still care]

I hate to say it but I think you are prescient.

It reminds of the bible story where the Israelites rejected the judges God put over them and demanded a "king, like other nations" even though they were warned he would oppress them.

[Dutchgirl]

Wonder why?

IMHO, Chalabi is just too smoky a character. he is tied to a scandal involving a Jordanian bank, and hasn't lived in Iraq for 40 years. He was elected head of the Iraqi National Congress, a coalition of exiles groups founded outside Iraq, but they can have no claim of legitimacey because the Iraqi residents had no voice in that process. The exile groups have family and neighborhood ties in country and are deeply suspicious of Chalabi. He is useful to the US but not necesarily endorsed by us.

I am sure he has been told flat out that the US will not "annoint" any leader and he must walk the fine line between continuing in a good relationship with Gen. Garner, making himself useful to the Iraqi people to win their support for US policies- THAT HE BELEIVES IN-and not appearing as a pawn of the US.

The one thing he really has going for him is that his statements show that he wants a democratic Iraq more than he wants power. If anything, he is there to do more complaining, than campaigning. By publicly voicing concerns on behalf of the Iraqi people, many of whom are too cowed or fearful to protest"When will the power be on?Why is the food slow in coming? he is giving Gen. Garner an opportunity to answer all Iraqis, and demonstrating how a responsive government should work.

Any "elections" held by the INC do not reflect the people of Iraq. It isn't covered because there really is no "news" here. Just another minion stating as fact what he hopes to occur, and probably jeopardizing the chances of it happenng by pissing off people with his precipitious statements.

[NormsRevenge]

Bump!

[WOSG]

No they need a Chalabi. Ataturk was never as pro-western, pro-democracy, pro-freedom, and willing to accept a multi-ethnic government as Chalabi is.

[WOSG]

"but that in no way indicates what the Iraqi people want. Just some riled up zealots after Friday prayers."

Correct! ... the irreligious and culturally tone deaf media just doesnt get it, or doesnt want us to get it.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

["I do not think that the United Nations is either capable or has the credibility in Iraq to play a major role," he told an audience of mainly Western reporters.......and the moral imperative is on the side of the United States, and the Iraqi people will accept a leadership role for the United States in this process," he said. "The United States does not want to run Iraq." ]

HAH!

I bet THIS will get wide spread coverage! Not.

[TheRightGuy]

I have been trying to think of what Arab country has people experienced in democracy who could go to Iraq

I have been trying to think of what country has Arab people experienced in democracy who could go to Iraq.

We could ship them all of ours!!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[At a news conference in the Iraqi Hunting Club At a news conference in the Iraqi Hunting Club...]

Is this where the USA/UK forces gather while hunting Iraqi's?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The French should be charged with cleaning the commodes, while the Germans can clean up the chemicals and biohazards.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

...but that in no way indicates what the Iraqi people want. Just some riled up zealots after Friday prayers.

Yes. But the press gleefully presents the protests of the (extreme minority) rabid leftistst in San Francisco as representative of the sentiments of the entire country. Pure hogwash and just propaganda. Feh.