Fables of Reconstruction (leaked Iraq CPA memo)

[mouse7]

A Coalition memo reveals that even true believers see the seeds of civil war in the occupation of Iraq

Fables of the Reconstruction
by Jason Vest
April 20th, 2004 10:00 AM


"As the situation in Iraq grows ever more tenuous, the Bush administration continues to spin the ominous news with matter-of-fact optimism. According to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Iraqi uprisings in half a dozen cities, accompanied by the deaths of more than 100 soldiers in the month of April alone, is something to be viewed in the context of "good days and bad days," merely "a moment in Iraq's path towards a free and democratic system." More recently, the president himself asserted, "Our coalition is standing with responsible Iraqi leaders as they establish growing authority in their country."

But according to a closely held Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) memo written in early March, the reality isn't so rosy. Iraq's chances of seeing democracy succeed, according to the memo's author—a U.S. government official detailed to the CPA, who wrote this summation of observations he'd made in the field for a senior CPA director—have been severely imperiled by a year's worth of serious errors on the part of the Pentagon and the CPA, the U.S.-led multinational agency administering Iraq. Far from facilitating democracy and security, the memo's author fears, U.S. efforts have created an environment rife with corruption and sectarianism likely to result in civil war.

Provided to this reporter by a Western intelligence official, the memo was partially redacted to protect the writer's identity and to "avoid inflaming an already volatile situation" by revealing the names of certain Iraqi figures. A wide-ranging and often acerbic critique of the CPA, covering topics ranging from policy, personalities, and press operations to on-the-ground realities such as electricity, the document is not only notable for its candidly troubled assessment of Iraq's future. It is also significant, according to the intelligence official, because its author has been a steadfast advocate of "transforming" the Middle East, beginning with "regime change" in Iraq...."

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0416/vest.php

This is the story that rumors were flying all over the net about yesterday. Several political blogs ran stories this article was coming today.

[fizzana]

1. This is just what we need.

Especially coming from someone who is 100% pro war in Iraq. The Democrats had better be all over this because it explodes the myth that things are actually working in Iraq.

I suggest everyone e-mails a copy of this article to everyone they know. I already have.

[Coventina]

2. Off topic but

I wonder if the author is an REM fan?

[Moderator]

3. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x498820