Ahmed Chalabi's Failed Coup (Cockburn in Salon.com today)

[carolinayellowdog]

http://salon.com/news/feature/2004/05/20/chalabi/index.html

excerpt:

Why did the Bush administration turn against its former favorite Iraqi? Almost certainly because it realized that Chalabi, maddened by the realization that he was being excluded from the post-June 30 hand-over arrangements, was putting together a sectarian Shiite faction to destabilize and destroy the new Iraqi government. "This all started since Brahimi announced that Chalabi would be kept out of the new arrangement," says an Iraqi political observer who is not only long familiar with Chalabi himself but also in close touch with key actors, including U.S. officials at the CPA and Iraqi politicians.

"Ahmed is gathering groups to bring this new government down even before July 1. He is in a very destructive phase, mobilizing forces to make sure the U.N. initiative -- due to be announced in 10 days -- fails." Chalabi has reportedly been inflaming his recruits with reports that veteran Algerian diplomat Brahimi is part of a Sunni conspiracy bent on undermining the rights of Iraqi Shiites to hold power in Iraq.

[acmavm]

1. Another neocon plan that fell flat on it's ass folks. Chalabi was a

known embezzler and liar, and it was a well known fact even before the pathetic mess in Iraq. Then he started double crossing bush& * Co. when he figured out that the Iraqis didn't want anything to do with them and bush* couldn't figure out a way to shove him down their throats.

Bush is not going to Saddamize Chalabi. Bye bye Ahmed.

[carolinayellowdog]

2. Juan Cole's reading of the situation

I checked earlier and nothing was up. Just now Josh M. posted a link to today's update:
http://juancole.com