Wednesday, April 23, 2003
CNN.com - Garner downplays Shiite discontent - Apr. 23, 2003
Garner isn't so worried about the apparent anti-American Shiite demonstrations in Karbala of the past few days.
[...]"I think ... a majority of the people realize that we're only going to stay here long enough to start a democratic government for them, and we're only going to stay here long enough to begin their economy ... and we're only going to stay here long enough to get their oil running ... and the revenues to people," Garner said.
Garner said that he did not believe that the chants of "Death to America, death to Israel" by crowds in the Shiite pilgrimage to Karbala reflected the feelings of most Iraqis.
"A month ago they wouldn't have been able to demonstrate, and demonstrations are one of the properties of freedom," Garner said.
"I've had many, many Iraqis in Baghdad and the south tell us they're glad we're here, so I think what you see right now is some staged demonstrations," he said.[...]
Garner said that he did not believe that the chants of "Death to America, death to Israel" by crowds in the Shiite pilgrimage to Karbala reflected the feelings of most Iraqis.
"A month ago they wouldn't have been able to demonstrate, and demonstrations are one of the properties of freedom," Garner said.
"I've had many, many Iraqis in Baghdad and the south tell us they're glad we're here, so I think what you see right now is some staged demonstrations," he said.[...]
Sounds reasonable to me, although they need to track down and get rid of any Iranian infiltrators:
WASHINGTON, April 22 — Iranian-trained agents have crossed into southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein and are working in the cities of Najaf, Karbala and Basra to promote friendly Shiite clerics and advance Iranian interests, according to defense and other United States government officials.
The officials cited intelligence reports that said the agents include members of the military wing of an Iraqi exile group that operates from Iran with that government's training and support. Known as the Badr Brigade, the militia is the armed force of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a Shiite group with headquarters in Tehran.
Other agents who have crossed into Iraq may include irregular members of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the officials said.
They said the infiltration from Iran was not unexpected, but they described it as a matter of significant concern at a time when outside powers are jockeying for influence to fill the political vacuum in Iraq. They said it suggests that Iran, which stayed on the sidelines during the American-led war in Iraq, may be trying to take a more assertive role in shaping developments in southern Iraq, whose population — like that of Iran — is composed overwhelmingly of Shiite Muslims.
"They are not looking to promote a democratic agenda," one military official said.[...]
The officials cited intelligence reports that said the agents include members of the military wing of an Iraqi exile group that operates from Iran with that government's training and support. Known as the Badr Brigade, the militia is the armed force of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a Shiite group with headquarters in Tehran.
Other agents who have crossed into Iraq may include irregular members of a special unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the officials said.
They said the infiltration from Iran was not unexpected, but they described it as a matter of significant concern at a time when outside powers are jockeying for influence to fill the political vacuum in Iraq. They said it suggests that Iran, which stayed on the sidelines during the American-led war in Iraq, may be trying to take a more assertive role in shaping developments in southern Iraq, whose population — like that of Iran — is composed overwhelmingly of Shiite Muslims.
"They are not looking to promote a democratic agenda," one military official said.[...]
In the same CNN item, Powell shows consistency and a laudable ability not to forget past wrongs:
[...]U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the fallout over prewar negotiations in the Security Council on "The Charlie Rose Show," saying it was no secret the United States believed that "France was not playing a helpful role."
"We have to look at all aspects of our relationship with France in light of this," Powell said, according to a transcript of the interview the State Department provided.
Powell said France would face consequences for standing up to the United States, but he did not elaborate.
"We have to look at all aspects of our relationship with France in light of this," Powell said, according to a transcript of the interview the State Department provided.
Powell said France would face consequences for standing up to the United States, but he did not elaborate.
I love it when Powell talks firm.
