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2003-05-02 Iraq

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Posted by Domingo 2003-05-02 03:30 pm|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I know there was story circulted in the news about a state dept. guy being appointed to run Irag and that Jay Garner would be reporting to him. However I can't find mention of it now. Any Old Spooks care to give some insight as to what might be going on ?

Posted by Domingo 2003-05-02 15:36:45|| 2003-05-02 15:36:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Garner is in charge of reconstruction, etc. Zalmay Khalilzad is special US envoy to the region and has been involved in Iraqi political process. Recently an ex-diplomat named Bremer has been appointed over both, to be in charge of ALL US civilian activities in Iraq. There are several possible reasons for this - for example to put a more "civilian" face on US position. But some may have been spreading that the white house was unhappy with Garner - either that he hasnt been competent enough, or that hes too close to Chalabi, or whatever. Rummy is trying to stomp on this rumor.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-05-02 15:37:32|| 2003-05-02 15:37:32|| Front Page Top

#3 See this link

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-05-02 15:39:52|| 2003-05-02 15:39:52|| Front Page Top

#4

WaPo this morning reported L. Paul Bremer III, "conservative career diplomat" (sheesh, with a name like that how could he be anything else?) "will be named special envoy and civil administrator of Iraq in the next few days, the officials said. He will report to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and will be the new boss of Jay M. Garner, the retired Army lieutenant general who has been in charge of rebuilding Iraq." Here are some choice excerpts:

"State Department officials said they view the appointment of Bremer, who was a top aide to six secretaries of state during 23 years as a foreign service officer, as a small victory in their bitter turf war with Pentagon rivals.

"Garner, director of the Pentagon's new Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, will continue to oversee policing, the restoration of communications and utilities, and planned improvements to Iraq's schools and roads, officials said.

"Negotiations with potential Iraqi leaders will continue to be handled by Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy overseeing Iraq's political development, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ryan C. Crocker.

""Ambassador Bremer is going to help oversee all the responsibilities we and coalition partners have to help the Iraqi people restore and renew their country after 30 years of tyranny," a senior administration official said. "

So - there will be a three-way group grope to run things, thus guaranteeing that it will be your typical DC-style screwup. Makes it sound like Bremer is there to kiss up to people/countries (France?) that don't want to dirty themselves by getting too close to (shudder!) a military man.

Sofia

Posted by Sofia 2003-05-02 15:44:04|| 2003-05-02 15:44:04|| Front Page Top

#5 sofia - i was very concerned yesterday (see my post) info today says that Bremer is close to civilian leadership of DoD, and that he will report to DoD. Sounds like an attempt at compromise in the turf war.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-05-02 15:49:31|| 2003-05-02 15:49:31|| Front Page Top

#6 From Rummy's remark, it sounds to me like the Bremer thing may not be as finalized as the press has reported...

Posted by someone 2003-05-02 16:23:22|| 2003-05-02 16:23:22|| Front Page Top

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