The US House of Representatives has passed a defence bill that exempts Iraq from lawsuits dating back to the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Bush and Iraq had objected to an earlier version, that included Iraq in a provision enhancing the ability of US citizens to sue state sponsors of terrorism for damages in US courts.
The new bill waives that provision for Iraq.
The Bush administration had received complaints from Baghdad that said that the original bill would have reopened lawsuits filed against Iraq under Saddam.
The new Iraqi government complained that such lawsuits could tie up $25BN.
Quite how a terrorist supporting country could be prosecuted, and brought to book in a US court is unclear to me.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
UN Contradicts US
Despite US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice claiming that the new law to allow Baathists back in from the political cold was sign of reconciliation, the UN countered her claim.
Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations' Baghdad envoy, said that Iraq lacks any true spirit of reconciliation despite parliament's decision to let former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party return to government jobs.
He said that there was still no trust between the Shi'ite-dominated cabinet and Sunni muslims, and warned that Iraq was running out of time.
"We do not feel a real spirit of reconciliation developing even if the government has accepted the law on reintegration of former Baathists.
The little intercommunity game continues but Iraq has no more time."
Time is running out for Iraq and for Bush.
Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations' Baghdad envoy, said that Iraq lacks any true spirit of reconciliation despite parliament's decision to let former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party return to government jobs.
He said that there was still no trust between the Shi'ite-dominated cabinet and Sunni muslims, and warned that Iraq was running out of time.
"We do not feel a real spirit of reconciliation developing even if the government has accepted the law on reintegration of former Baathists.
The little intercommunity game continues but Iraq has no more time."
Time is running out for Iraq and for Bush.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
No Plan No Peace
BBC 4 re ran the BBC 1 documentary "No Plan No Peace" last night, which described the criminal lack of planning that went into the post invasion occupation of Iraq by the US and UK.
In short, there was no plan!
In short, there was no plan!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Baathists Back
Saddam Hussein's old chums in Baathist party have been brought back in from the political wilderness. The Iraqi Parliament has passed a bill to allow some former officials from the party to apply for government positions.
This measure, if approved by the presidential council, will allow thousands of low-level Baath Party members barred from office after the 2003 US invasion to be reinstated. The Bush Administration had urged the Iraqi Government to pass such a measure. This is rather ironic, as it was the Bush administration that barred the Baath party officials from holding office in the first place; thus pushing Iraq further to the brink of collapse.
President Bush, who is currently in the Middle East trying to resolve all issues (the Palestinian question, confronting Iran and democratising Pakistan) before he leaves office, said that the vote was "an important step toward reconciliation".
The world shall watch his "progress" with interest.
This measure, if approved by the presidential council, will allow thousands of low-level Baath Party members barred from office after the 2003 US invasion to be reinstated. The Bush Administration had urged the Iraqi Government to pass such a measure. This is rather ironic, as it was the Bush administration that barred the Baath party officials from holding office in the first place; thus pushing Iraq further to the brink of collapse.
President Bush, who is currently in the Middle East trying to resolve all issues (the Palestinian question, confronting Iran and democratising Pakistan) before he leaves office, said that the vote was "an important step toward reconciliation".
The world shall watch his "progress" with interest.
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