You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Iraq
PM announces formation of 17 tribal councils in Missan
2008-06-24
(VOI) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday announced during his visit in Missan the formation of 17 tribal councils in the province to support security forces and the governmental institutions.
This'd be the Shiite version of the Swaha infrastructure. It makes sense, given Iraq's tribal nature. The 'democracy' that's eventually going to take root in the country, assuming we're successful, is going to be a lot more obviously an oligarchy than we're used to seeing.
Something akin to late 1700s democracy: landowners, powerful merchants and tribal chiefs will run the country.
Speaking at the tribal conference held today in Missan and attended by chieftains, lawmakers, security officers, and senior officials, the premier said '17 tribal councils will be formed in Missan, three in the center of the province, five in districts, and nine in the neighborhoods. The councils' role will be consultative in coordination with the police and army forces and the local authorities.'

He highlighted the large role of that tribal councils have played in Iraq's history in various domains, mainly in Missan. 'The Bashaer al-Salam (Promise of Peace) operation is not only a security operation but also envisages reconstruction operations and providing job opportunities through joining police and army forces as well as other official departments,' he added.

Large divisions of Iraqi army and police personnel flocked into Missan in preparation for Bashaer al-Salam security plan, taking Batira airport, 10 km northwest of Amara, and the Missan sports playground as their headquarters.
Posted by:Fred

#2  "Something akin to late 1700s democracy: landowners, powerful merchants and tribal chiefs will run the country"

or a tad more relevantly, 1950's India. Or 2008 Pakistan ;)
Posted by: liberalhawk   2008-06-24 09:27  

#1  17th Century is still an improvement over the 7th century. Don't knock it.

As I kept telling anyone who listened: Nobody truly understood just how broken and backward Muzz culture is. Nobody. That is why the mess of 2004-2007. It took us 3 years to "get it" and figure out how to fix it.

Someday, the honest historians are going to have some realy nice things to say about Bush and Petreaus.
Posted by: N guard   2008-06-24 08:53  

00:00