Article

2003-09-25 Iraq

Rift Opens Between U.S., Chalabi on Iraq

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Posted by Steve White 2003-09-25 1:12:59 AM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Let me guess....the rift is actually between State and the Pentagon, Chalabi is just caught in the middle.

Posted by john 2003-9-25 3:04:37 AM|| 2003-9-25 3:04:37 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Chabby has never been a serious player, no matter how he has stroked himself. The Iraqis know this better than anyone. So long dirt bag!

Posted by Rex Mundi 2003-9-25 3:05:07 AM|| 2003-9-25 3:05:07 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 It would be pretty stupid to transfer control of Iraqi internal securty before there are constitutional checks and balances of executive power are enacted. Security better stay in coalition hands until after Iraqis elect a government. Arrafathead should have at least convinced us of that.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-25 9:00:11 AM|| 2003-9-25 9:00:11 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Disagree with you Rex. Chalabi has his faults but he is as serious a player as anyone else in Iraq. Furthermore, this dispute with the US is largely performance art with the intent of getting him some more allies in Iraq. It may work. It may not work but it is serious. Also, calling him a dirtbag is uncalled for. He could have lived a very prosperous and comfortable life in the US or Britain by cutting off his interest in Iraq. Instead he put his life on the line to return to Iraq (in fact a number of times he flew into the Kurdish sector before the invasion and before the war, he was hunted by Sadam's assasins because of his anti Sadam activities.)

Posted by mhw 2003-9-25 9:36:05 AM|| 2003-9-25 9:36:05 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 I think John may be on to something. Remember Gardner wanted to turn over control and maybe sovereignty to the exiles quickly. That got overruled, in part cause State and CIA didnt trust the exiles (well except for the INA, their own guys) Bremer is State by background, though said to be on good terms with DoD.

Just cause Chirac is pushing for a quick handover, it may be a mistake to assume that this is a logical "dovish" position. Hes probably just pushing for it cause the Admin is against it, not so much hoping it gets adopted as simply trying to embarass the admin in the UN, and get concessions that will dignify France and the UN. If the Bush admin said the trains in Iraq should run slowly, Chirac would say they should run on time, and vice versa. Doesnt tell you what to do with the trains in Iraq.

It also may be a mistake to identify "DoD" as a single player. It is not at all clear to me that Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz are pursuing the same strategy. Wolfies priority is transforming the mideast - Rummys is transforming the US military. Im not sure Wolfie genuinely agreed with Rummy's early deployment decisions for post-war Iraq. Im also not sure they agree on Iraqi politics now. The presence of powerful enemies inside and outside the admin tends to make them appear closer, but its possible more complex things are going on.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-9-25 9:39:55 AM|| 2003-9-25 9:39:55 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 chirac wants a fast turnover because france is big enough to scare iraq, and the US wont budge. Iraq has an unpaid bar bill with France ya know...

Posted by flash91 - fatwah you talkin bout willis 2003-9-25 10:53:01 AM|| 2003-9-25 10:53:01 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 It's always been intended that the people on the council will help put together the new government, but not be a part of it themselves. That's why the Hakim's didn't both join - but the one they planned to be a govt. minister got himself blowed up. Oops.

Chalabi - He's too damn smooth. I don't trust him, and I'm sure the Iraqis don't. They're not dumb, just beaten and bruised.

Posted by mojo 2003-9-25 11:21:23 AM|| 2003-9-25 11:21:23 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 What would Iraq lose if it refused to pay debts to France saying that France was complicit with Sadaam?

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-25 11:23:51 AM|| 2003-9-25 11:23:51 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 Sorry to offend your sensibilites mhw, but Chalabi has a lot to answer for. He's no super patriot by any stretch. The only time I can see him risking his life is when he made off with a lot people's money...hence his comfortable life style you refer to. Mojo is right...noone trusts the guy -and for solid reasons.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2003-9-25 12:36:19 PM|| 2003-9-25 12:36:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 To Rex: the charge of embezzlement (which I think is what you refer to) is a based on a conviction in a Jordanian court and who knows what the reality it. Regarding risk, the man flew into Kurd territory (before the war) while Saddam had a price on his head. He did this several times trying to negotiate between Kurdish factions. He serves in the council while knowing the Baathists have a price on his head. Yes, he had body guards for all of these events, but that doesn't mean it was risk free. And as MOJO says, he is 'politician smooth' and that makes some people dislike him. But we have elected 'smooth' politicians ourselves.

Posted by mhw 2003-9-25 2:26:02 PM|| 2003-9-25 2:26:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 mhw: Good point on the "poltician smooth" aspect which is really where I was coming from. I currently reside in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia....so I can say for sure we have more than our share. Also, he hasn't exaclty shot strait with us at times. Dirtbag may have been strong....but I still don't trust the guy. I can't believe I'm agreeing with State on this one. First time for everything I suppose.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2003-9-25 4:26:51 PM|| 2003-9-25 4:26:51 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 I'm sure that Chalabi is a fine fellow. Don't give him control over the security force and budget that way if he mutates into Charles Taylor at least Iraqis have elected him.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-25 7:17:05 PM|| 2003-9-25 7:17:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 The Iraqis will never vote for Chalabi. They dont know the guy. The guy speaks Arabic with a Kensington accent. How so fake.Would Americans vote for George Bush if he had a weird chinese accent and left America fifty years ago only to return with an invading Army, liberation or not. and occupy camp david like chalabi took over Govermental offices in Iraq.

Posted by stevestradamus 2003-9-25 9:13:57 PM|| 2003-9-25 9:13:57 PM|| Front Page Top

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