Posted on 10/18/2006 7:54:48 AM PDT by M. Dodge Thomas
US presses Iraq on amnesty issue
By Roula Khalaf and Guy Dinmore in Washington
Published: October 17 2006 22:05 | Last updated: October 17 2006 22:15
The Bush administration is pressing the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Maliki to issue a broad and painful amnesty for insurgents in spite of intense opposition to the proposal from politicians both in Iraq and the US, according to a senior administration official.
Amid growing anxiety in Washington over Iraqs escalating sectarian violence, the US is advocating more determined moves towards a national reconciliation with the Sunni community that dominates Iraqs insurgency. It also wants a tougher line on the Shia militias.
You need the government to move forward with a programme it should include an amnesty in a broad fashion, a comprehensive amnesty proposal, (said) senior US official... No successful amnesty is not painful or sweeping.
As the US grapples with reversing policy decisions made under the initial occupation authority of Paul Bremer, officials told the FT the Iraqi government should implement major changes in the strategy of weeding out former Baath party members from Iraqs public administration.
The senior US official said this policy should go from a broadly wielded to a very narrow focus on a very limited cadre of individuals....
When Mr Maliki initially announced his reconciliation programme in June, members of the US Congress expressed outrage at his proposal to pardon insurgents who had killed US soldiers. Under a barrage of criticism, Mr Maliki backtracked.
However, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US envoy in Baghdad, has supported the concept of a broad amnesty. He said in July he would try to work with Iraqi leaders to find the right balance between reconciliation and accountability so that the US dead remained honoured...
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
"Attacks" are one thing but attacks that lead to American deaths are another. Anyone found to have attacked that lead to the death of any American Troop(s) should face a firing squad right then and there.
Ah, the dreaded "Hirohito Option". Punish those who harm us and risk anger and instability or let them go and end up with a more helpful and willing population.
Always a tough choice.
An amnesty will not help, and I wonder if this is being considered because all the prisons are full, and also the makeshift prison camps, as well.
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