Another Sovereignty Transfer Charade in Baghdad

“This war [in Iraq] is the most important liberal, revolutionary U.S. democracy-building project since the Marshall Plan. ... it is one of the noblest things this country has ever attempted abroad." Thomas Friedman in New York Times 30 November, 2003.


“Despite the agreement with Iraq, the United States would continue to have fighting forces in Iraq and Afghanistan beyond 2012. --The reality is that we’re going to have 10 Army and Marine units deployed for a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan.” US Gen. George Casey, Army chief of staff on May 26, 2009.



"Iraq is extremely vulnerable now. A poorly handled exit would be catastrophic. Shutting down a nuclear reactor is a whole lot simpler than exiting Iraq." Nagl, President, Center for a New American Security, Washington, D.C.

"(Saddam) Hussein stated Iran was Iraq's major threat due to their common border and believed Iran intended to annex Southern Iraq into Iran. The possibility --was viewed by Hussein as the most significant threat facing Iraq” According to just released FBI files of interviews with President Saddam Hussein in US custody. Viola, Post US led invasion Shias now dominate South Iraq.

“It is the sort of thing we came to expect from the Bush administration, which oversaw the destruction of the entire twentieth-century historical record for Iraq, as well as crushing and destroying under tanks and helicopters entire libraries of ancient Iraqi civilization, a crime I have dubbed "cliocide“”-Prof Juan Cole of Michigan University.

“The shine has started wearing off the "Green Shoots" story that has propped up stock markets and helped various countries pretend that further developments aren't imminent. As various US states approach different stages of bankruptcy, the time for governments to change policies is dawning.” Chan Akya in Asia Times


First transfer of ‘Sovereignty’ to Iraq on 28 June, 2004

"It was by force that the sons of Osman seized the sovereignty and Sultanate of the Turkish nation; -- Now, the Turkish nation has rebelled and has put a stop to these usurpers and has effectively taken sovereignty -in its own hands." Kemal Ataturk to the Grand National Assembly, Ankara in 1923

People and media have such short memories. The first charade of transfer of sovereignty to Iraq was conducted in a secret, short and pre-poned ceremony from 30 June to 28 June in Baghdad. Wrote New York Times; “ At 10:26 a.m. on 28 June, L. Paul Bremer III, (US Viceroy), head of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq “restored formal sovereignty to Iraq in a simple meeting deep inside the heavily fortified area known as the Green Zone.--, Mr. Bremer handed Dr. Iyad Allawi ( Prime Minister) a leather-bound note from President Bush, indicating that the Coalition Provisional Authority led by Mr. Bremer since last May was dissolved.”

After the brief secret ceremony “Mr. Bremer flew by helicopter to Baghdad International Airport, boarded an American C-130 military transport and left the country. The entire ceremony, witnessed by no more than a few dozen people, lasted less than 30 minutes.--


“At a ceremony later, Dr. Allawi celebrated his accession by promising that "a national unity and tolerance and brotherly behavior and spirit of peace and prosperity will prevail-- Dr. Allawi and Sheik Ghazi al-Yawar, the new Iraqi president, and other members of the new government took the oath of office before a slightly larger audience.

“Under the terms of the United Nations Security Resolution declaring the occupation ended, Mr. Yawar and his colleagues regained full control over their country, its people and borders. But for all the assurances on Monday, they are still largely dependent on the United States and other countries for their solvency and security in the face of a guerrilla insurgency.

“Even with Mr. Bremer's departure and the dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the American government and John D. Negroponte (the new American ambassador here, who arrived soon after the ceremony and re-established diplomatic ties with Iraq for the first time since Mr. Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990.) will retain enormous influence here, staffing an embassy that the Americans say will be the world's largest and controlling the distribution of more than $8 billion in reconstruction aid.”

Five years on, another fake transfer of sovereignty on 30 June, 2009

“The withdrawal of some U.S. combat troops from Iraq’s cities is welcome and long overdue news. However, it is important to remember that this is not the same as a withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors from Iraq.

“U.S. troop combat missions throughout Iraq are not scheduled to end until more than a year from now in August of 2010. In addition, U.S. troops are not scheduled for a complete withdrawal for another two and a half years on December 31, 2011. Rather, U.S. troops are leaving Iraqi cities for military bases in Iraq. They are still in Iraq, and they can be summoned back at any time” Democrat Congressman and former Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.


On 30 June, 2009 another fake transfer of sovereignty was organised by the US occupation forces in Iraq . After the March 2003 US led illegal invasion of Iraq , against the UN charter and opposition in UNSC and elsewhere, Iraqi troops are assuming control of security in the country's towns and cities. Under this charade, US troops have been withdrawn to bases and will not patrol the cities .Over the past few weeks 86 US military bases in Baghdad were closed or handed back to Iraqi command. On May 19, the Christian Science Monitor reported that Iraqi and U.S. military officials virtually redrew the city limits of Baghdad in order to consider the Army’s Forward Operating Base Falcon as outside the city, despite every map of Baghdad clearly showing it with in city limits.

In any case under attack from Iraqi resistance , patrolling had been minimal and the GIs mostly stayed put in the bases or went out to open spaces and pretended ‘search and kill ‘missions . The Status of Forces Agreement setting the June 30 deadline signed under George Bush watch last year leaves a lot of discretionary decisions to the Americans.

Some joy and celebrations in Iraq’s enduring misery

Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, declared 30 June "National Sovereignty Day" and ordered a public holiday. People sang and danced and set off fireworks to celebrate the 'day of national sovereignty' as U.S. troops prepared to leave cities and hand-over security to the Iraqi government.

Fireworks exploded over the city with several thousand people crowding central Baghdad's Zawra Park. Convoys of local police stood on the back of their armored trucks, dancing and waving their scuffed assault rifles to the rhythm of Iraqi folk music.

On stage came famed Iraqi singer Salah Hassan, who returned after a decade for the celebrations. Invoking the hard times of invasion and brutal occupation, he crooned: "Iraq is loyal to us . . . the people of Iraq love their country." "I wish I can walk on Sadoun street with my friends again, Iraq is for Iraqis only, I hope that my soul can become a bird to visit you ," he sang.

Yes, there is some ‘satisfaction.’ "It's a turning point of Iraq and Iraqi history," says Gen. Dahfur, commander of the 22nd Brigade of the 6th National Police Battalion. "I want to state to the American people that June 30 is a victor for Iraq and America."

But in reality, the pullback won't be far over the horizon. The 2nd Brigade, for instance, has relocated its forces only five to seven miles from their original bases, back to Camp Victory in southwest Baghdad. Other U.S. units across Iraq will indeed disappear from urban landscapes, settling in giant forward operating bases.

And if Iraqi forces get in trouble, all they have to do is ask. US troops would still provide logistical support to Iraqi ones. The American's quick reaction forces would provide bomb-sniffing dogs , unmanned aircraft surveillance and helicopter gunships among other things. Special Operations teams will continue surgical strikes in coordination with their Iraqi colleagues for years to come.

Observers and analysts in Washington point out that US will maintain its many and some massive bases in Iraq, (Afghanistan and Pakistan) for years to come. Meanwhile, France has set up its first permanent naval base in Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, with around 500 French defense personnel to effectively control the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

In essence, the French base will augment the U.S. military presence in this volatile region and will compliment the U.S. plan to maintain its military presence to secure the area. Soon Obama administration will trot out enough reasons for retaining military bases in Iraq.

According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, an average of about 15 tankers carrying 16.5 to 17 million barrels of crude oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day. That represents 40% of the world's seaborne oil shipments, and 20% of all world shipments. The French base will also become one of the key support points for an international naval task force fighting piracy off the Somali coast. The reasons for the piracy are quite different than claimed in Western corporate media.

Matt Schofield of USA’s McClatchy Newspapers suggests that U.S. must now work to ensure:

• Iraqis have a government they can support. That will mean helping Iraq build basic services, focusing on things as simple as clean tap water.

• Iraq remains a single, united nation. The Kurds up north must agree that Kirkuk, an ancient city with near-religious importance to them, should be neutral, shared territory and not the capital of a new autonomous region.

• The terrorist group known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) does not stand in the way of improving relations with Turkey. Failure to get Turkey more involved in Iraq could have a cascading effect on Middle Eastern relations. Iraq must be left a nation in good standing with Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, or it risks falling under the sway of Iran.

• Iraq's oil wealth climbs and is shared equally by Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis. The oil and subsequent riches will attract more foreign investment. Turkey is the likely candidate to be primary among the investors, but the rest of the region must be involved.

• Europe gets involved in the reconstruction of Iraqi society -- in active training of police, courts and bureaucracy, and in investment. In short, Europeans must get over their invasion petulance.

• The gains made in security continue. That means Iraqi forces remain well outfitted, well trained and on the streets. A coalition of nations must be prepared to continue the training of Iraq's military.

• Some U.S. troops stay behind. Even a small presence could make a big difference, if deployed strategically.

“These are tall orders -- a bombed mosque, the assassination of a few key figures, a major fallout in the region could overwhelm all good intentions.

With proper planning, it is possible to leave a nation with deep divisions but capable of surviving and thriving. For the U.S., that would eliminate the specter of an unwanted quick return. “

Bahaa al-Aaraji, a member of Parliament and a follower of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, doesn't see any hope for a good exit. "It is too late," he said. "Iraqis now simply wait for the American withdrawal to begin life. I don't believe, though, the Americans will ever leave Iraq."

Many in Iraq share his belief. They simply don't trust the U.S. to do what it says it will do.

US will not leave unless forced to. No Imperial power has ever left voluntarily.


US will hang on to the Iraqi Goose which lays (black) Gold eggs ! Oh yah

The primary reason for the illegal invasion of Iraq was its oil resources .With Osama ben Laden and Al Qaeda calling for withdrawal of US troops from the sacred soil of Saudi Arabia, occupation of Iraq and exploitation of its oil resources, the second largest in the world , and control of the strategic space in the region , was an old US strategic policy objective. And it was doable as Dick Cheney told Prince Hassan of Jordan before the invasion. To hell with international law and Geneva and other conventions.

Following its awe and shock aggression and USA’s ‘glorious’ victory in Baghdad , ( with US defense budget being $500 billion compared to 5 billion of Iraq , with Iraq’s defenses dilapidated after UN sanctions and air attacks since 1991 ), thus crowed Gen Colin Powell and many US leaders , Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz bragged in Singapore that the official causes enumerated for the invasion were just bureaucratic excuses. The main objective was Iraq’s oil resources . Wolfowitz also told a Congress panel -- that Iraq was a country that "floats on a sea of oil," adding that "The oil revenue of that country could bring between 50 and 100 billion dollars over the course of the next two or three years. We're dealing with a country that could really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon." The invasion would pay for itself.

Before the invasion, General Eric Shinseki testified to the Senate Armed Services that it would take “several hundred thousands soldiers” to secure the peace in Iraq. But Wolfowitz , also recently appointed chairman of the State Department’s International Security Advisory Board called Shinseki’s warning “wildly off the mark.” He also predicted that American troops would “be greeted as liberators.” Gen Shineski was soon sidelined and eased out.

The Pentagon originally estimated the cost of a war at about $ 50 Billion. Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution said this was fine as an invasion cost, but added that a U.S. occupation could cost $5-$20 billion more per year. In September 15, 2002, Lawrence B. Lindsey, Assistant to the President on Economic Policy, estimated the cost of a war in Iraq to be $ 100-$200 billion. Wolfowitz and others laughed it off as too high. The current estimates of real cost could turn out to be according to Stiglitz and others 2 to 3 trillion US dollars and rising.

In his 531-page memoir, ”The Age of Turbulence “ former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan, admitted: "I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil." He was lambasted in US for telling the truth.

In the memoirs of Paul O'Neill, George Bush’s Treasury Secretary (2001-2003), written by John Suskind, is mentioned among others relevant documents circulated in January 2001 , to National Security Council members, including O'Neill, one prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) that had already mapped Iraq's oil fields and exploration areas, and listed American corporations likely to be interested in participating in Iraq's petroleum industry. All this was before 11/9.

Another DIA document in the package, entitled "Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts," listed companies from 30 countries -- France, Germany, Russia, and Britain, among others -- their specialties and bidding histories. The attached maps pinpointed "super-giant oil field," "other oil field," and "earmarked for production sharing," and divided the basically undeveloped but oil-rich southwest of Iraq into nine blocks, indicating promising areas for future exploration.

A January 2003 plan for Iraqi oil drafted by the State Department and oil majors recommended formally maintaining the state-owned Iraq National Oil Company, which was established in 1961 -- but open it up to foreign investment after an initial period in which U.S.-approved Iraqi managers would supervise the rehabilitation of the war-damaged oil infrastructure.

It may be recalled that after entering Baghdad following US air and artillery mayhem on hapless Iraqi people ,US allowed a general looting of the city ,including destruction of many museums and sites of Arab, Islamic and Mesopotamian world heritage , because in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s words –many bad things happen –but the Iraqi Ministry of oil and its oil fields were fully protected by US troops.