Holding Iraq Together, by Tending to Its Parts

By STEVEN R. WEISMAN

Published: May 30, 2004


WASHINGTON — From the moment that Saddam Hessein's statue fell, the Bush administration proclaimed its intention to stitch together not only a democratic society but a united one from Iraq's fractured population. But that goal appears more elusive than ever because of deals that the American occupation has made with one group after another to preserve its goal of transferring sovereignty by the end of next month.


Earlier this year, the United States reluctantly agreed to allow the Kurds to keep their autonomy in the north, reversing promises to fold their region into Iraq. Then a month ago, it allowed Sunni rebels in Falluja to keep their arms under the supervision of former military commanders of Mr. Hussein. Last week came a new accommodation, this time allowing Shiite rebels in Najaf to keep their arms as long as they go underground.

What these developments share is a recognition of realities that have overpowered the dream of uniting a multiethnic society based on democratic principles. The objective now seems to be to keep Iraq together until the next two elections - one in Iraq in January and one in the United States in November.

"We've got an intractable political dynamic, and no good choices," lamented an administration official. "The best we can hope for is a stable situation enabling us to hand this steaming bag to the U.N. and hope it doesn't blow up right away."

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more: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/30/weekinreview/30weis.html

with us due to this inept steaming bag of (fill in the blank) admin... a steaming bag! How grown up of them and compassionate! Surpise? NOT!

It becomes more obvious every day.