Posted on 12/13/2006 4:28:19 AM PST by BlueSky194
Since its release, much has been said and written about this report that took about six months and millions of tax payer dollars to be prepared.
The report in general is stating the obvious and has not come up with any new and creative blueprint, except for the recommendations that are seen by a wide range of concerned parties and observers as nothing, if implemented by Bush administration, but a perfect resume for disaster and chaos. So far, the report has been sharply criticized by Kurds and Shiites who compromised more than 80% of Iraqi people as well as many prominent Congress members such as Mr. Joe Biden.
First of all, the authors based on their inadequate field data (they did not visit the most stable, secure and prosperous part of Iraq, namely Iraqi Kurdistan that has been rightly dubbed the success story of American policy in Iraq) are launching their study and subsequently their recommendations from an erroneous supposition that the only way to end the cycle of violence in Iraq is to go back to a unitary state, emphasizing on a stronger role for the central government at the expense of the regions such as Kurdistan, bringing in all the renegades, Bathists, Sunni Arab nationalists, fanatic Muslims , suicide bombers, and worse yet the regional countries who have created the ongoing Iraqi chaos and are sustaining it by all means. The report unfortunately and in particular is undermining everything the Kurds have gained. This include but is not limited to weakening Kurdistan Regional Government, meddling with the articles of the Iraqi permanent constitution of 2005, and empowering Baghdad over the natural resources that America itself has never sanctioned.
We dont need to reiterate the entire horrible Iraqi peoples experience with such an option and their painful journey for the last 80 years under such a scenario. This is the exact reason behind the atrocious situation Iraqis are finding themselves entrapped in today. These gentlemen wish to repeat the whole excruciating chapter. I doubt it if Iraqis in general and Kurds in particular are willing of their own free volition to go through such an ordeal once again.
The fundamental nature of the report is hovering on what it has described as not only the failure of Bush administration in Iraq in the post Saddam era and the impossibility of victory over terrorists, but also is implicitly stating that there was no need for the Bush administration to even overthrow dictator Saddam and free Iraqi people in the first place.
In their attempt to find a way out, the creators of the report, are basically dismissing the significance of liberating Iraq from the tyranny of dictator Saddam and his bloody Baath regime. Their recommendations are clearly calling for the restoration of the old order of pre- liberation, undermining everything the Bush administration has accomplished to free Iraqis. It should not have come as a surprise, if the report had called for the dictator Saddam to be reinstated instead of facing the gallows.
This is actually what the report is calling for stopping only short at demanding Saddams? enthronement once again.
Luckily the findings and recommendations of the report while bipartisan, are not binding for the American administration. Nevertheless, the report, is advising President Bush to build a strong central government in Baghdad, forgetting that this particular formula is the main reason behind the catastrophic state Iraqis are finding themselves in today in the first place. It is not tough even for a casual observer to see that the only way for Iraq to stay together is through a true democratic federation where regions preserve most of the powers to a degree where they are not threatened by the federal government in Baghdad while enabling this government to function and represent all the regions that will make up the federation.
Evidently, Mr. Baker and Hamilton along with their colleagues are not fully aware of the depth of differences among various Iraqi groups and the unfeasibility of imposing on them a solution to force them to live in a unitary state as before after tasting the freedom they are enjoying now. They rather have their own regions within a democratic federal Iraq where they are able to progress and prosper at their own pace and in their own ways.
The political equation today in Iraq is like this; Iraqi Shiites are strengthened and supported by Iran. Sunni Arabs enjoy the support of the entire Arab and Sunni world, while everyone is trying to weaken the Kurds and take away their gains and achievements. Kurds are wondering who will stand up for them in the middle of this chaos. They are the only secular and pro-Western ally in Iraq and they are still not been listen to and are on the verge to be betrayed one more time as if their agonizing past that is full of tragedy and suffering is not sufficient to convince the world that it is time for them to be free and protected. The report not only has ignored Kurds but is utterly calling for their weakening and the intervention of regional powers that have traditionally conspired against them. No wonder the Kurds are weary of this report. They are wondering if this is the beginning of another Kurd sell-out or rather another American betrayal following the 1975 and then again 1991.
The Bush administration should not take these recommendations seriously.
That would have disastrous consequences now and in the future where United States would find herself once again compelled to face the same problems, perhaps this time at a much bigger scale. It would be a grave mistake to abandon Kurds to the mercy of the regional powers. Obviously the whole episode of deprivation, denial, oppression, chemical attacks, mass exodus and genocide were not enough to move the world conscious. Perhaps the total annihilation of the Kurds would eventually convince the world to intervene at least to ensure that the same fate does not befall other nations similar to that of the Kurds. Therefore I consider this is as a humble appeal to Mr. Bush, the American people, EU, UN and the entire world not to sell out the Kurds once again, their achievements and the dreams of their children. Kurds are in need of every voice in every part of the world to join protests against Baker-Hamilton report and its infamous recommendations. Kurds have suffered too much and for too long and they deserve a decent chance, the one they are enjoying in Iraqi Kurdistan today if kept and protected.
A resume?
Doesn't EVERYBODY (Including Liberals) know these guy's are CLOWNS?
I guess résumé is the Kurdish word for recipe. : )
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.