The Emptiness of Full


What kind of sovereignty? "Full sovereignty" says Bush to the Swedish ambassador, and by extension to the UN. That's what the U.S. will grant its hand-picked government of Iraq. So just in case you thought the Bushies had learned their lessons with phantom WMDs and insurgents instead of flowers in the street---and you missed Ashcroft trying to manufacture a terror threat to manipulate the election against Kerry last week---get a load of the straight face---the straight smirk anyway---on Bush when he said this. He's an entertaining liar all right, but while more Americans may want to have a barbeque with him, they might not want to take any of his promises to the bank.

Full sovereignty, with thousands of American and British troops and their tanks in the street, with helicopter gunships, missiles and bombers discreetly at the ready out of sight. While the UN envoy and the U.S. government designs the government, plans the election and the country's future. If this is full sovereignty, what would limited sovereignty mean? Some joint letterhead stationery?

So the first concrete act in preparing for full sovereignty was to appoint a CIA asset as prime minister. Iyad Allawi, a member of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, was appointed prime minister by the U.S. appointed Governing Council, with the hearty endorsement of the U.S. government, over the objections of the UN envoy.

Then as soon as they papered over those differences, the Governing Council decided to appoint an Iraqi president different from the one selected by Brahimi. This difference became public, and will apparently be settled by an election---of the Governing Council. Said one of its members, quite reasonably, "They say we have a sovereignty, and that we are democracy. If that is true, then why are they trying to impose this decision on us?"

As for Allawi, a former honcho in Saddam’s army, his first statement to the press indicated that they shouldn't hold their breath hoping for a fully democratic Iraqi government. And his first act was to at least attempt to recall large elements of… Saddam's army. Be careful what you say you are giving, GW, cause you might get it.