Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
--- Begin Message ----Caveat Lector- Bush's Desperate Gambit: Lofty Words, Continuing War and OccupationMark Solomon Plummeting polls reveal that nearly two-thirds of the public now believe that the US is in an Iraq quagmire. Bush's job rating has dropped to new lows; a tenacious Iraqi resistance is growing; the Abu Ghraib prison scandal has obliterated Bush's last ditch rationale (bringing human rights to Iraq) for going to war; a movement to bring regime change at home in November is gaining momentum. In the face of all that, Bush and his advisors have "rediscovered" the UN and have launched a public relations campaign to stem the rapidly growing public disquiet over an increasingly bloody and expensive war. But the Bush group has again failed to offer an "exit strategy" despite demands for a clear way out. Indeed, it never had one because it never intended to leave Iraq. Its central goal has been, and remains, to establish up to fourteen permanent military bases in that country, and to control its political and economic development as a fulcrum for a US-Israeli alliance to command the resources and the political direction of the entire region. Bush's Latest Gambit In his address last night before a ramrod military audience, Bush laid out five steps which he claimed added up to a clear and decisive strategy to bring democracy and stability to Iraq and to ultimately end the occupation. Each of the five steps is fraudulent - promising a new course, but delivering more of the same and in key areas escalating the occupation, thus inviting more carnage. 1) A "sovereign interim government" has been promised, replete with a president, vice presidents and 26 ministers. This interim formation will be selected by one person - UN official Lakhdar Brahami. Without authenticity and moral authority derived from a democratic election, this interim regime (whose proposed members have yet to be revealed) will have no more legitimacy than the present interim government. Further, a resolution to be presented to the UN security council (see below) detailing the responsibilities and limits placed upon this group reveals that in the most crucial areas it will be severely constrained by US occupiers. 2) Bush for the first time announced that he would increase, not decrease, US military forces in Iraq if requested by his generals. He also promised an expansion of "security areas" - most likely more heavily fortified "green zones" secured by increased military forces where military officers, civilian intelligence personnel, and a few Iraqi acolytes are shielded from the Iraqi population. 3) Bush made a plea for more international support, including military forces and funds. But he offered nothing tangible in terms of a measured and unassailable plan to restore sovereignty to Iraq. On the contrary, it can be anticipated that other countries will be joining Spain in removing their forces from that country. 4) Bush called for acceleration of the reconstruction of Iraq. But predictably, nothing was said about foreign capital grabbing Iraqi firms, or profiteering by Halliburton and other Bush allies, or foisting neoliberal "free markets" on Iraq's fragile economy. 5) Bush promised national elections by "early 2005." But the parameters of such an election will be set by an appointed interim government with only a shadow of sovereignty. Even if such an election came to pass, it would take place under foreign occupation - with the occupiers exercising financial and military muscle to influence the outcome. In addition to those stated objectives, Bush announced that the horrific Abu Ghraib prison will be demolished - after a new prison is built. The symbol of humiliation and brutality may be destroyed, but not a word was uttered about responsibility at the highest levels for the crimes committed at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere from Afghanistan to Guantanamo. The Draft UN Resolution Consistent with the points noted above in regard to Bush's speech: 1) The resolution affirms the presence of US-led forces and sets no date for those forces to leave Iraq. 2) While the resolution promises "sovereignty" to the new interim government, a Reuters dispatch yesterday noted "the definition of �sovereignty' is a contentious issue." With no timetable for the withdrawal of US-led forces, the resolution says that the new Iraqi government can request a review of the disposition of those forces after a year. But the review would take place within the context of "an open-ended" mandate whereby the Security Council with a US veto would be the final authority on the removal of occupying forces. 3) The resolution contains no "opt out" clause that would allow Iraqi forces to decline command by the US military. Further, other foreign forces would remain under US command. 4) The resolution permits "criminal immunity" whereby US forces are immune from prosecution for war crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. 5) The draft resolution claims that Iraq would control its oil revenues. But an "international advisory board" dominated by Washington would remain in place. This board audits accounts and assures investors that "their money was being spent free of corruption." 6) At this point, the resolution apparently does nothing to impede the boards and commissions under US direction which control the granting of contracts, the licensing of TV stations, as well as the Development Fund for Iraq, which is a special account for all proceeds from Iraq's oil and gas sales and is controlled by the current Coalition Provisional Authority. Bush's desperate gambit in one sense is an acknowledgment of the nearly universal opposition to this disastrous war. But its flourishes and gestures add up to more war, more occupation and the expansion of the relentless lightning rod for resistance - US - led military forces. An end to the occupation (Spain showed how that's done) will finally provide the space, the resources, and the inspiration for the Iraqi people to win self- determination and build a democratic society. That requires a concrete timetable for the removal of foreign military forces, the introduction of UN and Arab League-led authentic peacekeepers, the return of Iraq's resources to its people, an internationally administered fund for reconstruction, and unambiguously free elections. That is the surest road to peace and justice. It is also the very opposite of what Bush now proposes. [Mark Solomon is a National Co-Chair of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism] _______________________________________________________ portside (the left side in nautical parlance) is a news, discussion and debate service of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism. It aims to provide varied material of interest to people on the left. For answers to frequently asked questions: <http://www.portside.org/faq> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change settings: <http://lists.portside.org/mailman/listinfo/portside> To submit material, paste into an email and send to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (postings are moderated) For assistance with your account: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To search the portside archive: <http://people-link5.inch.com/pipermail/portside/> www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
--- End Message ---
