Iraqis want peace and stability. They want the American-led occupation forces out of their country as soon as possible. But the daily violence and intimidation continues. It must seem that with or without the coalition forces — which at the end of this month become the Multinational Force (MNF) — the future is bleak.
The hope was that the gloomy prospect would change when a new interim government took over from the Governing Council. The logic was that it would be perceived by the Iraqis as a government of their own, with its own mind, and not a US puppet under a different name. That has not happened. The new government is seen by Iraqi political experts as pro-American and manipulated by exiles who owe their position to US patronage.
The comment, “How can you accept people who came with the occupiers? The people who were tortured and suffered inside Iraq deserve these positions,” from the Iraqi street sums up the impact the new government will have on the people. And not just the people of Iraq. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s resigned comment that we will have to accept the government speaks for most people in the world. The UN had originally spoken of an interim government of technocrats and was known to have opposed Allawi’s candidature for premier. Allawi was seen as being too close to the Americans. Brahimi, along with the Americans, had meanwhile wanted Adnan Pachachi for the role of interim president. Yet Pachachi turned down the job in favor of fellow Sunni Yawer.
Whatever the reactions in Iraq or outside, the fact remains that the new government is in place. The UN must now work with an Iraqi administration endorsed by the IGC as representing all shades of peaceable opinion within the country. The question is to what extent the people of Iraq will accept the interim government. Will they be tempted to fall back on their own communities or will they see the new government as the only practical way forward?
The Americans may be hoping that in Allawi they have a cautious ally. But the earlier it dawns on the White House that any politician who receives its support is automatically suspect, if not discredited, in the eyes of the majority of Iraqis the better it will be for Iraq, America and the world.
Much will depend on the speed and degree with which the new leadership can stamp its authority, most particularly in the new National Security Council which will be directing both Iraqi security forces and the troops of the MNF. If Washington is still seen to be dominant, then Premier Allawi and his colleagues will be perceived as “sons of the IGC”. If however they check US interference, they will greatly strengthen the elected government that will succeed them next year.
