Kurdish Media, Iraq
Three 'Wasted Years' On, the Breakup of Iraq the 'Most Judicious Solution'

By Kak Aso Kurdi

August 28, 2006
Iraq - Kurdish Media - Original Article (English)

In the process of Iraq's liberation, the magnitude of tragedies, human loss and damage incurred by both American military personnel and Iraqi civilians was extremely minimal.

Prior to the invasion, America's presence was much appreciated in the region, and American fighters were hailed as liberators and salvagers.

Extremism, intolerance and anti-American sentiment existed, but to a very marginal degree. The Iraq War was perhaps one of the most problem-free and victorious that the United States has waged in its entire history.

In fact, public support for the United States was a key factor in ousting the dictator's regime.

After the U.S. administration had achieved its major political objectives, it would have been prudent to wrap up its military presence in the region. The tasks of restructuring, rebuilding and redeveloping post-war Iraq could have been ceded to a third party like United Nations. If it had done so, the U.S. war on terrorism would now be regarded as more fair and internationally justifiable, and would now be confronting less opposition at home. In that event, the Rogue states would now be overestimating U.S. military capabilities and would not have become so destabilizing.

[Editor's Note: Rogue states are those states which have been declared to be non-members of the International community. North Korea, Iran, Iran, Iraq and Cuba are generally considered to be Rogue states].

After three wasted years, the number of coalition deaths has exceeded more than 2,845. Approximately 100,000 mostly innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed. These war statistics are unbiased and are conservative in terms of Iraqi deaths. The rate of unemployment, inflation and crime has skyrocketed to alarming levels; Iraq's infrastructure has been totally paralyzed; and worst of all, sectarian and ethnic violence is on the rise. Iraq has become fertile ground for international terrorist groups.

Despite the allocation of huge financial resources for the reconstruction of Iraq, except for "new" ruins and remains, nothing has been accomplished. Reconstruction cannot thrive without enduring peace and stability. The fate and future of Iraq remains very much on doubt, and every day the outlook becomes more disconcerting.

The prime beneficiaries of the ongoing chaos and war are Iraq's neighbors. Through their surrogates, they impose their own agendas and are playing an obvious role in that country's decision-making. With a steady flow of cash, funds and weapons, they have persuaded Iraq's political elite to be more dependent upon the foreign powers and far less indecisive.

Iran's radical theocratic Islamic state took advantage of the chaos, rapidly reinforced its position and could multiply its clout, supremacy and influence even more. Iran has long fantasized about creating a similar government in Iraq. The fact that Iraqi Shiites constitute a majority of the population has made Iran a key driver in determining Iraq's future.

Syria's totalitarian government rummages around to pick up the bits and pieces of Saddam's Baath Party regime to revitalize its own decomposing Baath Party. A number of high-ranking Baath officers from the former [Iraq] regime have recently been instructed in Damascus and have returned to Iraq to initiate terrorist operations.

Sunni-Arab governments [the Gulf Emirates] have done nothing but add fuel to the insurgency by sanctioning the presence and export of foreign rebels into that war-torn country. Fearful of the growing Shiite influence, Iraq's brutal sectarian war and the fact that Iraq has always been ruled by its Sunni minority, the Sunni-Arab states have shown a complete lack of interest in extending assistance to any Shiite-run Iraqi government, further jeopardizing the economic prosperity and future independence of that country.

Northern Iraq has been a base for frequent Turkish military maneuvers. Turkish war planes frequently pound Kurdish villages without any expression of regret for the deaths of civilians. In addition, the United States has given its ally in Turkey the green light for military operations against its own Kurdish separatists.

This is why the [Kurdish] government - a representative, unity government - has been unable to address the key issues of tranquility and the protection of its residents. Without a favorable outcome, more and more resources, funds and valuable lives will continue to be wasted.

Under the present circumstances, however, an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces is not an alternative. The situation is very fluid and incredibly complicated.

Most military strategists and political experts assess that it will not be possible to contain the calamitous civil war that is now underway. The more that the United States remains firm that it is obliged to maintain its presence, the more affliction, insecurity and mayhem the Iraq people have to look forward to.

At present, the definitive and most judicious solution would be the disintegration of Iraq into three different entities: a Kurdish state in the north, a Sunni state in the center and a Shiite state in the south. To prevent the further waste of innocent lives and to put and end the pain and suffering, Iraq must ultimately be divided up … and the sooner, the better.

VIDEO FROM DUBAI: EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT SAYS

'SHIITES ARE MORE LOYAL TO IRAN THAN TO IRAQ'

Al-Arabiya TV, Dubai: Excerpts from an interview with Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, Apr. 8, 00:04:58, Via MEMRI

"Not "on the brink." Civil war has more or less broken out. ... The Shiites are always loyal to Iran. Most of them are loyal to Iran and not to the countries in which they live ..."

Egyptian President Husni Mubarak