Which is the real Iraq? The Independent-UK

[Gloria]

Which is the real Iraq?
By Patrick Cockburn in Arbil
Published: 23 May 2006

(SNIP)

There was a ghastly absurdity about Mr Blair's optimism as he stood beside the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone yesterday. As usual, Mr Blair arrived by helicopter. Anybody entering the zone on foot has to negotiate eight checkpoints defended by heavily armed troops and guards surrounded by sandbags, razor wire, sniffer dogs and X-ray machines.

Mr Blair said the establishment of a national unity government meant there was no longer any justification for the insurgency. He announced that now at last the "Iraqi people able to take charge of their own destiny and write the next chapter of Iraqi history themselves".

But Zalmay Khalilzad, the US ambassador, played a crucial role in getting rid of the last duly elected prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari. His officials do not conceal that the envoy has been what The New York Times described as "a tireless midwife in the birthing of the new government" . That is hardly the sign of a sovereign and independent Iraqi administration.

Mr Blair said "we have a government of national unity that crosses all boundaries". Unfortunately that is exactly what we do not have. The five months it has taken to form a government since the election for the Iraqi parliament on 15 December shows the depth of existing divisions. This government has a Minister of Tourism but, as yet, no Minister of the Interior or Defence, the two crucial jobs in a country torn apart by war.

MORE


on to discussion of the factions and geopolitcal realities.....

[Kagemusha]

1. Forgot the link.

Interesting article.

[truthisfreedom]

2. i think this is the link

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article570217.ece

[Gloria]

3. Oh, Sorry I forgot the link! Thanks for posting it....a

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. "heavily armed troops and guards surrounded by sandbags, razor wire, sniff

.
.
.

"heavily armed troops and guards surrounded by sandbags, razor wire, sniffer dogs and X-ray machines."

From the original post:

"As usual, Mr Blair arrived by helicopter. Anybody entering the zone on foot has to negotiate eight checkpoints defended by heavily armed troops and guards surrounded by sandbags, razor wire, sniffer dogs and X-ray machines."

OK

So you feel SAFER now Tony?

doesn't look like it.

That's what you get for tying your ass up with the PNACers