“As recognized in UN Security Council resolution 1546, the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist on June 28th, at which point the occupation will end and the Iraqi interim government will assume and exercise full sovereign authority on behalf of the Iraqi people. I welcome Iraq’s steps to take its rightful place of equality and honor among the free nations of the world. Sincerely, L. Paul Bremer, ex-administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority.”
With the reading of those words and a click of ruby-red combat boots’ heels, the Bush Mideast Miracle continues in the tradition of “there is an Iraq-al Qaeda connection because there is an Iraq-al Qaeda connection” and “the Iraq war is over because I declare victory.” In other words, Mission Accomplished: The Sequel.
Bremer, now the former head of the Interim Coalition government, both literally and figuratively flew out of Iraq, boarding an Air Force C-130 within two hours of the turnover. Remaining in Iraq (along with some 135,000 US and 20,000 multinational troops) is the new US ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte. That name may sound familiar: he was our ambassador to Honduras from 1981-1985 and was heavily involved in the illegal, covert funding of the Contras in Nicaragua during the Reagan years. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Despite the assurances of full sovereignty, the US and Negroponte will retain overwhelming influence in Iraq, staffing an embassy that will be the world’s largest as well as controlling the distribution of billions in reconstruction aid money. Before he left, Bremer issued over a hundred laws and directives as a parting gift to the new Iraq, the most notable being a decree granting to American military and civilian personnel immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts. So it’s full sovereignty. . .except for that standing army. . .with full immunity. Kind of puts “Let freedom reign” into context.
Now that this part of the Brave New War Against Terror is taken care of, President Bush can set his sights on a new target. My guess is it will involve similarly restoring democracy at home and bringing the party of al-Gore to justice.
This article appears in Jul 7-13, 2004.
