Full Version: Leader of Iraqi Council killed
QUOTE
Izzedine Salim, the leader of the Iraqi Governing Council, was killed this morning in a car bombing in Baghdad, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.
Iraq Governing Council Leader Killed in Car Bomb, Minister Says
Does the United States need to reconquer Iraq before it can hand over sovereignty to that country? What does this attack say about America's ability to influence the composition of a sovereign IRaqi government?
Well, I figured for sure this would remain on the first page if it had been posted, so I accidentally created a duplicate thread (oops!)! Eeyore, we seem to do this to eachother - must be sharing some brain waves 
Well, this certainly puts a chink in the armor, now doesn't it?
I would think we are obviously doing our best to influence the composition of the new government in Iraq - that is what I deem as our administration's real goal in being there (putting someone in power that's good for us somehow). I wonder what will be done now to choose a replacement - will we choose someone new, will they choose someone new? What will the process be and how long will it take? How much will this set us back in terms of handing over the "keys" if you will.
I imagine the June deadline will be harder to reach now...finding a replacement shouldn't be something ot be taken lightly and I don't exactly know the steps they may or may not have taken to account for the possibilities of needing to replace some of the appointed folks in the "chain of command" if you will.
Well, this certainly puts a chink in the armor, now doesn't it?
I would think we are obviously doing our best to influence the composition of the new government in Iraq - that is what I deem as our administration's real goal in being there (putting someone in power that's good for us somehow). I wonder what will be done now to choose a replacement - will we choose someone new, will they choose someone new? What will the process be and how long will it take? How much will this set us back in terms of handing over the "keys" if you will.
I imagine the June deadline will be harder to reach now...finding a replacement shouldn't be something ot be taken lightly and I don't exactly know the steps they may or may not have taken to account for the possibilities of needing to replace some of the appointed folks in the "chain of command" if you will.
Does the United States need to reconquer Iraq before it can hand over sovereignty to that country? What does this attack say about America's ability to influence the composition of a sovereign IRaqi government?
Lost in all the media babble of the last few days was the assassination of another pro western leader. Sheik Yossif Moneer was gunned down by a lone assassin on the 14 May. Yossif Moneer was the local leader of the Al Sa’ad i Al Qurnah tribe within whose territory the Danish troops are stationed. The sheik had been collaborating with the coalition, and most likely paid the price for that.
This indicates (to me) that the coalition itself has one great weakness that no amount of force can remedy and that is its inability to prevent the amount of killings which are taking place amongst the Iraqi's themselves. The Danish army's Operations Command site has a good many articles which mention internal warfare within Iraq, almost to the point of a civil war.
I fear that what we are seeing via our western media bias is but one facet of a rather large and ugly situation...
Here is a brief translation of some relevant passages from the HOK site which I offer as an example of what I think we are blind to. How many of you had ever heard of Sheik Yossif Mooneer? I certainly had not, and yet it seems this man (and those like him) are some of the greatest assets we have in Iraq to help us get the nation on its feet. Without people like Yossif Mooneer the coalition is doomed to failure
http://www.hok.dk/more.php?id=828_0_1_0_M
Lost in all the media babble of the last few days was the assassination of another pro western leader. Sheik Yossif Moneer was gunned down by a lone assassin on the 14 May. Yossif Moneer was the local leader of the Al Sa’ad i Al Qurnah tribe within whose territory the Danish troops are stationed. The sheik had been collaborating with the coalition, and most likely paid the price for that.
This indicates (to me) that the coalition itself has one great weakness that no amount of force can remedy and that is its inability to prevent the amount of killings which are taking place amongst the Iraqi's themselves. The Danish army's Operations Command site has a good many articles which mention internal warfare within Iraq, almost to the point of a civil war.
I fear that what we are seeing via our western media bias is but one facet of a rather large and ugly situation...
Here is a brief translation of some relevant passages from the HOK site which I offer as an example of what I think we are blind to. How many of you had ever heard of Sheik Yossif Mooneer? I certainly had not, and yet it seems this man (and those like him) are some of the greatest assets we have in Iraq to help us get the nation on its feet. Without people like Yossif Mooneer the coalition is doomed to failure
http://www.hok.dk/more.php?id=828_0_1_0_M
QUOTE
His contribution, in relation to the Danish Battalions work cannot be commended enough. The Sheik helped in countless talks with the local warring factions and together with the Danish Battalion was deeply engaged in getting the local councils in taking responsibility for future development.
Hundreds of Danish soldiers came to admire the Sheik, both from near and far. With his stately form and charismatic aura it was hardly possible not to admire the 35 year old Sheik who had been chosen by his tribe despite having older brothers.
When Camp Eden (Where the Danish Battalion is based) had visiting Danish dignitory's, it was customary to visit the Sheiks house to sample the ready hospitality and exotic oriental foods. The Commander of the Army himself got to know the Sheik and appreciate this man who meant so much to our work in the region.
Sheik Yossif Mooneers influence stretched far beyond the local level and he proved more than willing to place his connections at the disposal of the Danish Battalion in an attempt to spread the model of co-operation now known as the 'Danish model'.
When the British forces wished to adopt this method of co-operation, it was largely due to the Sheik that this was possible.
The Sheik had the courage of his convictions and was not afraid to express himself in no uncertain terms. This attitude was necessary but ran the risk of creating friction . To make an enemy in Iraqi culture is much different than in our (Danish) culture but even though the Sheik was well protected, he knew well enough that he was living in danger. He chose however to do his duty as an Iraqi leader and to fight for what he believed in.
Hundreds of Danish soldiers came to admire the Sheik, both from near and far. With his stately form and charismatic aura it was hardly possible not to admire the 35 year old Sheik who had been chosen by his tribe despite having older brothers.
When Camp Eden (Where the Danish Battalion is based) had visiting Danish dignitory's, it was customary to visit the Sheiks house to sample the ready hospitality and exotic oriental foods. The Commander of the Army himself got to know the Sheik and appreciate this man who meant so much to our work in the region.
Sheik Yossif Mooneers influence stretched far beyond the local level and he proved more than willing to place his connections at the disposal of the Danish Battalion in an attempt to spread the model of co-operation now known as the 'Danish model'.
When the British forces wished to adopt this method of co-operation, it was largely due to the Sheik that this was possible.
The Sheik had the courage of his convictions and was not afraid to express himself in no uncertain terms. This attitude was necessary but ran the risk of creating friction . To make an enemy in Iraqi culture is much different than in our (Danish) culture but even though the Sheik was well protected, he knew well enough that he was living in danger. He chose however to do his duty as an Iraqi leader and to fight for what he believed in.
Every nascent government has it's troubles. Some over come it, others fall because of it. Not only was a key Iraqi governing council leader killed, but Iraq is facing a problem of disappearing intellectuals who are kidnapped and held for ransom by insurgents, or who receive death threats from the allies of sitting governing council members. To me, this says that Iraqis will not accept an installation of a pro-U.S. leader. I'm sure there will be others to take this guy's place, but there will be twice as many who will attempt to kill subsequent leaders in the future. 
In short, we can say who will lead Iraq, but we have little say as to how long they will rule, let alone live! 
In short, we can say who will lead Iraq, but we have little say as to how long they will rule, let alone live!
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