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Bush needs to articulate vision for Iraq, say experts
Experts outline need for detailed strategy in post-war era
The Daily Star, 6/28/03
NEW YORK: With mounting costs to American lives and treasure in Iraq,
and success there so clearly tied to American staying power and the
coherence of US strategy, the Bush administration must sharpen and deepen
its commitment to making Iraq a better and safer place, conclude former UN
Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and former Defense and Energy Secretary
James R. Schlesinger, co-chairs of the Council on Foreign
relations-sponsored Independent Task Force on post-war Iraq. As a first
step, President George W. Bush should set the direction for his
administration by making a major foreign policy address to the nation,
explaining the importance of seeing the task through, as well as the costs
and risks of US engagement in post-war Iraq.
The co-chairs’ recommendations, drawn from recent deliberations of the
Task Force, were released Thursday in a “Chair’s Update” to the Task
Force’s report in March, Iraq: the Day After. Both projects were
directed by Council fellow and former National Security Council aide Eric
Schwartz.
Following are the key points raised by the report:
Develop a clearer political vision and strategy: The absence of a clear
vision and strategy to shape Iraq’s political landscape has undermined
progress in the post-war transition and rebuilding effort, and created
uncertainty among Iraqis. The US administrator, Paul Bremer, has sought a
more assertive role for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority, and he
has made good progress. But he should now go further, by defining a US
vision and strategy for Iraqi involvement in the political transition
process. This includes the procedures surrounding interim administration;
the process for transfer of authorities to Iraqis linked to specific
benchmarks of progress; and the development of local governance, local
political institutions and civil society.
Employ a wiser approach to communicating with the Iraqi people: Although
there is broad public support in many regions for the coalition presence,
there is hostility toward the United States in parts of Iraq that
threatens to undermine US objectives. Moreover, there are limits to
shaping public consensus in Iraq through the traditional tools of public
diplomacy. US officials should make more concerted efforts to speak “through
Iraqi leaders,” by broadening their interaction with leaders at the
local, regional, and national levels. And though there are obvious risks,
US troops in Iraq serve important policy goals through broad interaction
with the general public in a way that is reassuring about the coalition
presence. Public diplomacy programming should not only impart information,
but should emphasize political dialogue with Iraqis and the free flow of
ideas as a means to promote a more democratic political culture.
Promote public security and the rule of law: The administration should
reaffirm its commitment to sustain a large presence of US military forces
to ensure stability as long as necessary, even as US officials seek to
recruit military forces from other capable states. The administration
should also augment efforts to recruit international civilian police;
deploy experts in criminal investigation to address the threat of criminal
syndicates and black market activity; and accelerate efforts to establish
institutions that will promote respect for the rule of law.
Improve management and operations in the oil industry: While UN Security
Council Resolution 1483 paved the way to restore Iraq’s petroleum
exports and increased capacity over time, substantial challenges remain.
The administration should ensure a clearer chain of command for
decision-making by defining the parameters of US involvement and speaking
with a consistent voice to Iraqi authorities. It should also establish
greater transparency and effective communication.
Share the burden with international partners: Appointing the UN
secretary-general’s special representative (SRSG) for Iraq has created
opportunities for greater burden sharing, which would lighten the load for
the US government and enhance international support for the post-war
transition effort. But it not clear that the administration envisions a
meaningful role for the SRSG … Bremer should work with the SRSG to
establish interim political institutions and promote international support
for the rebuilding effort.
Prepare for the next peace stabilization and reconstruction challenge
after Iraq: Iraq is neither the first nor the last post-conflict peace
stabilization and reconstruction operation the United States will embark
upon. The president should commit the United States to serious and
sustained effort to build US capabilities in peace stabilization and
post-conflict reconstruction, so that managing these operations becomes a
genuine national competence.
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| Earth, a planet hungry for peace |
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| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03). |
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| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03). |
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