Kurds Find U.S. Alliance Is Built on Shifting Sands

[CShine]

Before the war to oust Saddam Hussein, the Bush administration counted on the Kurdish minority in northern Iraq as its closest ally. But now ties with the Kurds have reached a bitter new phase, with some Kurdish leaders charging that they have been betrayed by Washington.

The problem, in the Kurds' view, was reflected in an administration decision this week to rebuff Kurdish pleas to have the United Nations Security Council give its blessing to the temporary Iraqi constitution, which they see as protecting their rights.

Kurds value the document because it gives the three Kurdish provinces the effective power to veto a permanent constitution, which is to be written next year. They fear that the Shiite majority may try to impose Islamic law through the new constitution, or dilute Kurdish control of oil fields in their region.

"It's not just that we have been misled by the Americans," said a high-ranking Kurdish official. "It's also that they change their position day to day without any focus on real strategy in Iraq. There's a level of mismanagement and incompetence that is shocking."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/11/politics/11DIPL.html

[LittleApple81]

1. There's a level of mismanagement and incompetence that is shocking

Shocking... I tell you, shocking!!!!!
They could not have been so gullible, could they? We should send them a link to DU.

[alfredo]

2. One great truth:

Bush is a liar.

[Disturbed]

3. The US Govt.

the Kurds have been stabbed in the back before by Bush1. They are posturing when they say "shocked".

[alfredo]

5. Let's see what happens when they lay claim

to the northern oil fields.

[11cents]

4. They've been Kurds for a long time ...

...you'd think they'd just assume that all alliances are based on shifting sands, and especially the US one. "Betraying the Kurds" is practically a rite of passage for aspirants in the American foreign policy elite.

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

:kick: