Top Iraqis Pull Back From Key U.S. Goal

[cal04]

Source: Washington Post

Reconciliation Seen Unattainable Amid Struggle for Power

For much of this year, the U.S. military strategy in Iraq has sought to reduce violence so that politicians could bring about national reconciliation, but several top Iraqi leaders say they have lost faith in this broad goal.

Iraqi leaders argue that sectarian animosity is entrenched in the structure of their government. Instead of reconciliation, they now stress alternative and perhaps more attainable goals: streamlining the government bureaucracy, placing experienced technocrats in positions of authority and improving the dismal record of providing basic services.


"I don't think there is something called reconciliation, and there will be no reconciliation as such," said Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, a Kurd. "To me, it is a very inaccurate term. This is a struggle about power."

Humam Hamoudi, a prominent Shiite cleric and parliament member, said any future reconciliation would emerge naturally from an efficient, fair government, not through short-term political engineering among Sunnis and Shiites.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/07/AR2007100701448.html?hpid=topnews

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Iraqi leaders argue that sectarian animosity is entrenched in the structure of their government and national reconciliation is not a realistic goal.

[Supersedeas]

1. nothing to see here -- feed them more FAUX outrage about Conservative values

[maseman]

2. Top Iraqis pull back from key U.S. goal

Source: MSNBC/Washington Post

BAGHDAD - For much of this year, the U.S. military strategy in Iraq has sought to reduce violence so that politicians could bring about national reconciliation, but several top Iraqi leaders say they have lost faith in this broad goal.

Iraqi leaders argue that sectarian animosity is entrenched in the structure of their government. Instead of reconciliation, they now stress alternative and perhaps more attainable goals: streamlining the government bureaucracy, placing experienced technocrats in positions of authority and improving the dismal record of providing basic services.

Snip


The acrimony among politicians has strained the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki close to the breaking point. Nearly half of the cabinet ministers have left their posts. The Shiite alliance in parliament, which once controlled 130 of the 275 seats, is disintegrating with the defection of two important parties.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21186176/

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But but but GW says it is all going so well over there. I am confused. GREAT article and a muct read.

[groovedaddy]

3. They just don't understand the neo-cons goals (or do they?)

And "we" (the U.S.) thinks we can fix this mess?

[f the letter]

4. Those all sound like good goals

But are any of those goals listed possible anymore while we still occupy it? Basic service has been not the highest goal on the list, but certainly one of the highest goals for a long time now and nothing's changed with clean water, electricity, etc

At this point if we would get out and just throw the half amount of money we throw at the war at funding rebuilding water/electricity/sewer lines, it seems like there might be some hope