De-Baathification Policy 'Remains Intact,' Coalition Says

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2004 – The policy prohibiting hardcore Baathists from gaining government, military and teaching positions in the new Iraq is a good one and hasn't changed, the Coalition Provisional Authority's chief spokesman said in Baghdad today.

However, Dan Senor, noted to reporters, the de-Baathification policy issued last May and implemented by Iraqi officials in January is being tweaked to ensure it is being applied fairly.

"The de-Baathification policy remains intact," Senor said. "It was the right policy when it was issued … and it's the right policy today."

Senor noted that the policy prohibits senior Baath Party officials who had close ties to the now-defunct Saddam Hussein regime from obtaining positions within the new Iraqi government. An extensive vetting process, he pointed out, is used to separate Iraqis who'd merely been party members from hardcore Baathists with "blood on their hands."

The policy doesn't disqualify all former Baath Party members from applying for jobs, Senor emphasized, noting that only senior-level functionaries are barred.

However, he said it was lately discovered that some Iraqis who'd once been Baathists –- especially those in the education field –- have been waiting too long to resolve their appeals for jobs or retirement pensions. As a result, he said, changes are being implemented to ensure the policy is being fairly and effectively carried out.

"The policy is quite clear," Senor pointed out. "There is an opportunity for appeal … for some Baathists to at least reintegrate into society and avoid a path of poverty, and do so with a sense of dignity."

Regarding current military operations in Iraq, coalition military spokesman Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt reported that a Bulgarian patrol was involved today in a firefight with enemy militia in Karbala. One coalition troop was wounded in the fight, Kimmitt said, and later died.

U.S. and coalition forces are prepared to resume offensive operations against entrenched enemy forces in Fallujah, the general continued, noting that such action could occur within days if tenets of an April 9 cease-fire agreement aren't met.

Kimmitt pointed out the cease-fire agreement requires enemy forces and noncombatant citizens in Fallujah to turn in all outlawed weaponry, but little –- other than old, worn-out weapons – has been received thus far.

"We have no doubt in our minds that the people inside Fallujah understand what's at stake here," Kimmitt said. "They understand what they have to deliver."

U.S. and coalition forces are prepared to resume offensive operations against entrenched enemy forces in Fallujah....within days if tenets of an April 9 cease-fire agreement aren't met.

"We have no doubt in our minds that the people inside Fallujah understand what's at stake here," Kimmitt said. "They understand what they have to deliver."

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~~Saddam loyalists, deadenders, evildoers, terrorists => Ba'athists~~

Iraqis who joined the party to prevent Saddam's neighborhood thugs from torturing and killing their children, raping their wives, or imprisoning (executing) their male relatives - after a lengthy 'vetting' process - can serve today.

Same basic policy, same corrupt press sowing dissent, emboldening our enemy, discouraging the longsuffering Iraqi people, and endangering our troops - our war efforts - the civilized world.

Speaking of debaathification, check out this DUer's stupid comment. LOL! I loved the part where her father had Fox on 24/7. (Bet he goes back to FOX when she goes to take her drugs):

i'm getting my very republican father to turn the TV off!!!! woo hoo!!!

He usually has FOX on 24/7. And it was getting too scary talking to him. But I brought in information about how watching TV reduces attention spans and added that it just numbs your cognitive skills. So, I'm getting him to turn the TV off and listen to music, read, print pictures, write letters, etc. I told him to go online to get his news and do more reading. He's limiting his TV time to an hour or so a day!!! You don't understand. This is a HUGE step for him.

I'm so excited!!! Now, if we could just get the whole country to turn their TV's off....

C., every somewhat scientific poll taken since the first, last Sept., I think, has shown that the Iraqi people are not happy with their Arab neighbors who sold out to Saddam and ignored their suffering, want a secular state, are certainly NOT Ba'athist fans....but the powerful AP/Reuters and pals newswires will continue to push the will of the elite on the Iraqi people.

Anti-Semites from the OIC were given big play in yesterday's Western press, and legitimacy. They, and their pals from the UN, EU and DNC seem to think they can waltz into Iraq on top of the blood of Saddam's WMD'd villagers, mass-executed opponents - and our troops - and enforce their will. This bunch would steal a chocolate bar from the hand of a starving child newly freed from a concentration camp.

I personally think today's military men and women are more courageous and honorable than ever in history - for not tossing members of the free (thanks to our troops past and present) press into the Tigris River.

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