Der neue Irak

Wirepullers: ieri 30 giugno 2009 è iniziato il ritiro delle truppe americane dall'Iraq. L'avvicinamento all'inizio del ritiro è coinciso con un aumento delle violenze nel paese: un modo per chiedere agli americani di non andarsene? E perchè? Cosa succederà adesso in quella che fu la culla della civiltà? Vediamo di che ritiro si tratta realmente e quale scenario fututo si prospetta per una delle popolazioni più martoriate al mondo.(3)

Das Abkommen zum Rückzug der amerikanischen Soldaten aus dem Irak ist ein Erbe von George W. Bush, dessen Dividenden jetzt Präsident Obama auf sein Konto gut schreiben kann. Die Amerikaner haben sich schon vor dem eigentlichen Stichtag, dem 30. Juni, aus den Städten zurückgezogen; bis zum Jahresende 2011 soll es dann keine amerikanischen Soldaten mehr im Irak geben.
In diesem Einsatz sind seit dem Kriegsbeginn im März 2003 mehrere Tausend amerikanische und mehrere Hundert alliierte Soldaten gefallen. Wie viele Iraker in diesen Jahren getötet wurden, ist umstritten – Zehntausende waren es auf jeden Fall, viele davon sind bei innerirakischen Auseinandersetzungen ums Leben gekommen. Der Kongress gibt als Kosten dieses militärischen Unternehmens allein für die Vereinigten Staaten 657 Milliarden Dollar an.
Die Balance am Golf steht im Zentrum der Weltpolitik.

Ob es den irakischen Sicherheitskräften nun ohne ausländische Hilfe gelingen wird, die Konflikte in den Griff zu bekommen, die im „Zweistromland“ nach wie vor schwelen, ist unter Fachleuten umstritten. Es ist zu früh, um die neue Welle der Gewalt, die über das Land in den vergangenen Wochen hinweggegangen ist, schon als Beleg für das Eintreffen jener Prognose zu nehmen, dass im Irak nach dem Abzug der Amerikaner bürgerkriegsähnliche Zustände ausbrechen werden. Letztlich hängt dies von der irakischen Politik ab: ob es gelingt, eine akzeptable Machtaufteilung zwischen der Mehrheit der Schiiten und den Sunniten, aus denen sich unter Saddam Hussein die „herrschende Klasse“ rekrutierte, zu finden.

Ob für den Streit zwischen den kurdischen Behörden im Nordirak und der Zentralregierung um die Ölfelder von Kirkuk eine Lösung gefunden wird. Ob für das Land die richtige Mischung aus föderalem Aufbau und zentralem wirtschaftlichem Ausgleich politisch durchsetzbar ist.

Jetzt erst wird sich die Frage entscheiden, ob der Krieg, in dem ein Tyrann gestürzt wurde, nicht nur hohe Opfer gefordert hat, sondern auch Voraussetzungen für eine bessere Gesellschaft und einen demokratischen Staat gelegt hat.

Das müssen auch diejenigen dem neuen Irak wünschen, die gegen den Krieg waren – schon aus Eigeninteresse. Die Lage am Persischen Golf verträgt keine zusätzlichen Krisen. Denn die politisch-militärische Balance dort ist keine regionale Sache, sie steht im Zentrum der Weltpolitik.

Autore: Günther Nonnenmacher

www.faz.net

Iraq's 'National Sovereignty Day' is U.S.-Style Hallmark Hype

Wirepullers: ieri 30 giugno 2009 è iniziato il ritiro delle truppe americane dall'Iraq. L'avvicinamento all'inizio del ritiro è coinciso con un aumento delle violenze nel paese: un modo per chiedere agli americani di non andarsene? E perchè? Cosa succederà adesso in quella che fu la culla della civiltà? Vediamo di che ritiro si tratta realmente e quale scenario fututo si prospetta per una delle popolazioni più martoriate al mondo.(2)

The puppet government in Iraq has named June 30th "National Sovereignty Day," and -- without mentioning the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis maimed, killed, tortured or made refugees by the U.S. invasion and occupation -- thanked the occupiers for placing them in power. "President" Jalal Talabani termed June 30th "a glorious day," saying, "While we celebrate this day, we express our thanks and gratitude to our friends in the coalition forces who faced risks and responsibilities and sustained casualties and damage while helping Iraq to get rid from the ugliest dictatorship and during the joint effort to impose security and stability."

Meanwhile the Iraqi "Prime Minister" Nouri al Maliki -- clearly living in his Green Zone bubble -- stated: "The national united government succeeded in putting down the sectarian war that was threatening the unity and the sovereignty of Iraq," adding, "Those who think that Iraqis are unable to defend their country are committing a fatal mistake." Perhaps Maliki has been hanging out too much by the swimming pools and cabanas in the Green Zone and missed these events:

There was a significant spike in violence before the June 30 withdrawal. More than 250 people were killed in a series of bombings, including one on June 20 that left 81 dead outside a mosque in northern Iraq and another in a Baghdad market on June 24 that killed 78.

As we listen to these proclamations from Iraqi "government" officials praising their fake holiday, let’s remember this fact from veteran journalist Patrick Cockburn, who has covered Iraq more than almost any other Western journalist:
Iraq is the world’s premier kleptomaniac state. According to Transparency International the only countries deemed more crooked than Iraq are Somalia and Myanmar, while Haiti and Afghanistan rank just behind. In contrast to Iraq, which enjoys significant oil revenues, none of these countries have much money to steal.

In a grotesquely symbolic move, the Iraqi government marked "National Sovereignty Day" by "open[ing] up some of its massive oil and gas fields to foreign firms," according to the Wall Street Journal: "In a televised ceremony, international oil companies were invited to submit bids for six oil and two gas fields, a process that marked their return to the country over 30 years after Mr. Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled the foreign firms. The fields on offer hold about 43 billion of Iraq’s 115 billion barrels of crude reserves -- among the largest in the world." Among the companies bidding were the Western oil giants ExxonMobil and BP (which reportedly won a contract on Tuesday). As The New York Times reported, "A total of 8 of the world’s 10 top non-state oil companies are competing for licenses to help develop six oil fields and two natural gas fields.

"While the U.S. has hyped up the "handover" to the Iraqis, it is largely a show. Underscoring that point, the top U.S. military commander in the Iraqi capital, Maj. Gen. Daniel Bolger, handed over the keys to the former Iraqi Defense Ministry to an Iraqi military commander and spoke of how now "Iraqis take the lead in Baghdad." To keep up appearances, the U.S. military, according to The New York Times, has begun "ordering soldiers to remain in garrison for the next few days to give the Iraqis a chance to demonstrate that they are in control." Note the phrase "for the next few days." As for the official ceremonies marking Iraqi "Independence Day," the Times reports:

The military parade in the Green Zone on Tuesday -- at the official monument to the unknown soldier -- was attended primarily by Iraqi reporters and dignitaries. The public could not reach it because of extensive security restricting access to the area.[…]Many of the celebrations on Tuesday seemed contrived. Police cars were festooned with plastic flowers, and signs celebrating "independence day"were tied to blast walls and fences around the city. On Monday, night a festive evening celebration in Zahra Park with singers and entertainers drew primarily young men, many of them off-duty police officers.

The Washington Post’s Ernesto Londoño, whose report reads like Iraqi "government" propaganda (it begins: "This is no longer America’s war."), reports:

Anchors on state-run television wore folded Iraqi flags over their shoulders, and the station kept a graphic of a small Iraqi flag waving under the date "6/30" on the top left corner of the screen.

Away from the show, U.S. forces will indeed remain in Iraqi cities to "to train and advise Iraqi forces," while huge numbers position themselves just outside the cities and could redeploy or strike in moments:

The U.S. hasn’t said how many troops will be in the cities in advisory roles, but the vast majority of the more than 130,000 U.S. forces remaining in the country will be in large bases scattered outside cities.

While a lot of the media hype focused on the U.S. "withdrawal," that is hardly the reality. As previously reported, U.S. military commanders have said they are preparing for an Iraq presence for another 15-20 years, the U.S. embassy is the size of Vatican City, there is no official plan for the withdrawal of contractors and new corporate mercenary contracts are being awarded. The Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) between the U.S. and Iraq gives the U.S. the right to extend the occupation indefinitely and to continue intervening militarily in Iraq ad infinitum. Article 27 of the SOFA allows the U.S. to undertake military action, "or any other measure," inside Iraq’s borders "In the event of any external or internal threat or aggression against Iraq."As the airwaves and internet are flooded with reports of this new Iraqi sovereignty and U.S. withdrawal, it is important to remember a bit of history. Five years ago -- almost to the day -- President Bush put on an almost identical show. His proconsul L. Paul Bremer "handed over sovereignty" to the Iraqi government just before he skulked out of Baghdad on a secret flight (right after he issued an order banning Iraq from prosecuting contractors). Despite the pronouncements and proclamations and media hype, the occupation continued and real sovereignty was non-existent.

It is very doubtful that -- decades from now -- Iraqis will tell their grandchildren about where they were on June 30, 2009, "National Sovereignty Day." At the end of the day, this is U.S.-style Hallmark hype and will remain so until every last occupation soldier leaves Iraqi soil.

Autore: Jeremy Scahill

Fonte: www.alternet.org

Sovereignty Day in Iraq

Wirepullers: ieri 30 giugno 2009 è iniziato il ritiro delle truppe americane dall'Iraq. L'avvicinamento all'inizio del ritiro è coinciso con un aumento delle violenze nel paese: un modo per chiedere agli americani di non andarsene? E perchè? Cosa succederà adesso in quella che fu la culla della civiltà? Vediamo di che ritiro si tratta realmente e quale scenario fututo si prospetta per una delle popolazioni più martoriate al mondo.(1)

One thing Iraq's leaders have clearly picked up from the U.S.: the value of political theater. For weeks, officials have been ratcheting up the assertive rhetoric, some even calling today's withdrawal of American combat troops to positions outside Iraq's cities "liberation." At a recent press conference, three Iraqi ministers took turns making it clear no delay would be countenanced. "All American troops will be gone no later than the 30th of June," stressed government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh. By the time the Americans pulled out Tuesday, many Iraqis were dissing their erstwhile rescuers, some asking what took them so long and dancing in the streets on a holiday President Nuri al-Maliki quickly dubbed National Sovereignty Day. "I hope this will be a first step toward them leaving our country. That would be a great day," said retired school teacher Fatima Ali. "Americans are outsiders and occupiers. They destroy the country and cause its people lots of harm."

Iraq could be exposed to security risks if such sentiments harden within the political class. Under the agreement signed last November between the United States and Iraq, U.S. combat troops have withdrawn to nonurban areas and a belt around major cities like Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. The agreement provides for the Americans to step back into the cities and towns when asked by Iraqi authorities—PRESUMABLY if they perceive a threat they can't handle alone. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, says the Americans will be close enough to respond quickly. In the meantime, his troops will continue to conduct "full-spectrum" operations outside cities and towns.

The question is whether emboldened Iraqis will ask for help when the time comes. Especially in the short term, meaning in the period between now and parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of January 2010. Jockeying has already begun in the current Parliament, and, like Maliki, who is trying to leverage his image as a tough wartime leader to win a second term next year, some Iraqi leaders may be eager to demonstrate their independence by insisting that Iraqi security forces handle even existential threats. "I'd say they'd have to be in a pretty hard place before they asked for any ground troops," a Western contractor working with the government told NEWSWEEK. "There are some who will want to withhold any visible request for help and try to see it though on their own and hope for the best," added the contractor, who would not be quoted discussing sensitive internal politics.

Few in the Iraqi Army and national police are as prepared to tough it out when the time comes. A senior Iraqi Army general describes his forces and the U.S. Army as a "team" noting that manpower shortages already make it difficult to handle all the terrain that needs to be covered. And the top national police commander, Maj. Gen. Hussein Jasim al-Awadi, reminded an interviewer several times that the U.S. forces will be nearby, "responding to our requests" for help. "The Americans are not leaving …civilians should calm down and relax," he said.

Anti-American comments at rallies cannot mask apprehension among some Iraqis who woke up Tuesday to checkpoints staffed by Iraqi military only. Although 130,000 U.S troops remain in Iraq, they are keeping a low profile. U.S. Army personnel told NEWSWEEK all forces have been told to stay on their bases from July 1-5, with few exceptions. Some Iraqis are anxious about the American-free streets. "I'm not happy with the pulling of U.S. soldiers out of the cities. It leaves everything in the hands of the Iraqi forces, who proved incompetent in achieving security, for they are sectarian, impolite, and aggressive," said college student Samir Ahmed.

Odierno says Iraq's Army and national police, which number more than 600,000, are greatly improved, and, he believes, are ready to take the lead in defending their countrymen. "From a combat operational perspective, a large majority of the Iraqi security forces are capable," he said in an interview near the once-embattled city of Fallujah. "The issue is sustainability … and we will continue to assist their ability to sustain, as well as develop some of the capacity they need."

Al-Awadi says critical comments about his force are residue from an earlier time. "There has been a bond developing between the civilians and Iraqi security forces that will help defeat terrorists," he said. His comments appeared to be borne out during a patrol through Saediyah, a south Baghdad district devastated by sectarian cleansing in 2006-2007. Blue-and-white national police Humvees festooned with colorful plastic flowers drove slowly through the dusty streets as residents waved and smiled.

Such reconciliation featured prominently in Maliki's National Sovereignty Day speech, in which he declared the U.S. withdrawal a "joint achievement of all Iraqis, worthy of their history and their great civilization and their sacrifices." He did not mention of American sacrifices. So far, 4,323 U.S. servicemen and women have died in Iraq, including four yesterday.

American troops have now settled into quarters away from the bases and camps they've long occupied. They leave behind small contingents to train and advise the newly ascendant Iraqi security forces. Odierno calls the new supporting role "a change in mindset" that commanders and rank and file are adapting to. This pullout is to be followed by the removal of all combat forces next August and complete withdrawal of U.S. forces by the end of 2011.

Odierno says he is confident this is the right time to make the switch in cities. He also says he expects the attacks of the last two weeks, which he attributes to Al Qaeda in Iraq and Shia militias, to continue. As if on cue, terrorists exploded a car bomb Tuesday in the northern disputed city of Kirkuk, killing 30 people. The attack came just hours after the Americans withdrew. The hope now is that such attacks don't multiply and intensify to the point where Iraq has to call back the cavalry after all.

Autore: Lennox Samuels

Fonte: www.newsweek.com