The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Welcome back to the White House, Ambassador Bremer. You seem a bit stressed. Apologies for the urgent summons, but I trust your trip was pleasant? No mortar rounds into the Green Zone as you walked to the Bradley? Good. No roadside bombs on the drive to Baghdad International? What a relief. No heat-seekers to dodge after takeoff? Splendid! Before we meet the President, Mr. Ambassador, a word to the wise: “November.” Elections there before elections here. “November,” Mr. Ambassador. We need an exit plan, and we need you firmly on board. No talk of “nation building”. No more “hearts and minds”. No more “seven point plan to build the infrastructure for democracy”. What in the name of McNamara were you thinking? U.S. elections are a year away. We need an out. The time for dissent is over. Yes, I know you’re closer to the situation than anyone here. But the Oval’s perspective is broader, and after all, we can send you packing quicker than you can say “Jay Garner”. “November,” Mr. Ambassador We know the carpetbaggers on the Governing Council couldn’t agree on lunch. We don’t care. We know the Council’s private militias may soon sort themselves out, and devil take the hindmost. So be it. We know the UN’s Oil-for-Food program ended on November 21st, and responsibility for Iraq’s twenty-three million people is now ours. I hope to god we’re up to the task. We know that terror threatens aid and militarizes the occupation, which alienates the population, which builds sympathy for the insurgents, which encourages terror. The Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds play us like paper, scissors, and rock. It’s an endless spiral that quacks like a quagmire, and I blame it directly on Cheney and Rumsfeld and Perle. But we must be out by November, Mr. Ambassador, and Charlie don’t vote. So here’s the plan: The Governing Council will draft rules for provincial council elections. Provincial councils will elect a transitional legislature. The transitional legislature will appoint a provisional executive council. We’ll grant the executive council sovereignty, and the constitution will come later. Clear as mud, and cross your fingers that Sistani plays along. Don’t tell me it’s crazy and don’t say it won’t work. It’s policy. It’s your job. Just keep the lid on. We’re running Iron Hammer near Falluja, we’re bombing north Baghdad, we’re bulldozing olive groves and homes, the Red Cross has fled and our prisons are unwatched. We might hire a few old Baathists, including the former Defense Minister Sultan Hashim, the Eight of Hearts in the wanted deck. He may feel right at home. Soon the Council will hold the reins, Iraq’s former generals will general, its former police will police, and the paramilitaries will pound the dissidents into the sand. Our troops will still be there, Mr. Ambassador, but the profile will be lower. Their heroism and their deaths will be on page seven, not page one. We’ll have our bases to replace those lost in Saudi. And you’ll be coming home, Paul. Colin’s had enough, and his job is yours if you want. The in-fighting at State is fierce but it’s seldom lethal. Ha ha. In writing? Well, yes, I suppose we could. A public flogging for Cheney and Rumsfeld and Perle? Unattainable fantasy, I’m afraid, but there’s always the Belgian courts. I know you don’t feel right about the promotion, but come on. You worked for Kissinger. You checked your pride at the door 10 years ago. So spare me your sanctimony, Paul, and have a safe return to Baghdad. Perhaps you can sleep briefly over the Atlantic. Yes, I’ll join you in praying for the Iraqi people, Mr. Ambassador, and in praying for our troops and in praying for the President. And I’m certain he’ll join me in praying for your continued good luck with the Council, and the militias, and the missiles, and the roadside bombs, and the mortars. And I’ll see what I can do about the Belgian courts. --- Regards, Drew Hamre Golden Valley, MN USA _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk