dys
Good start. Possibly, some problem with the towel reference, but if you handle that by stanza three, you might be ok. Also try to steer away from onion towers and onion breath.
Perc
You picked the one possibly sensible comment anyone has made. But let's backtrack a bit.
First, I haven't argued that sovereignty can be or should be immediately assumed by the political structure in Iraq. I doubt there is anyone who believes that is possible. It will have to be gradual and sequential. It will not have occured by June 30, so that is a
falsehood for Bush to claim it will have been achieved by then. You and I, I'm pleased to see, are agreed on this. (italics can only be added in the 'post reply' function, but not the 'quick reply'...just highlight the word, and then click on the box marked 'i').
So then it becomes a matter of coherently explaining whether the falsehood is justified. The UN rep said it is a necessary charade. Whoever that guy was, I like him for at least trying to be honest. But still, the claim maybe not so sensible as it first appears. Who exactly is the charade supposed to convince or fool?
As I noted above (and as many others have as well) the Iraqis in all the major cities are likely to be faced with daily evidence that it isn't so. Also likely is that their own media has been covering the issues as well as ours, and as they have the real interest in sovereignty and civil stability, their attention to these matters will likely be more acute than ours. One assumes that would hold true, to some degree, for all the Arab press. I very much doubt that this audience is predisposed to trusting what Bush says. The danger here are two-fold: further mistrust because of the falsehood, and also the factor that Craven alluded to earlier on another thread - the insult that comes with being patronized, "You Iraqis aren't quite smart enough to be able to handle the truth, so I'm giving you this comfortable charade until you grow up." Yet all of that could be so easily avoided by being truthful and by granting them respect.
It is possible that this administration believes that if they say something often enough, people will come to think it so. There's good evidence that they treat their own citizens in this manner, so they may well think that might work for Iraqis too. But the election is coming, and Iraq is the biggest albatross around Bush's neck. We know from the staged "Mission Accomplished" PR move that the administration will attempt to present an image of states of affairs which are false or misleading to the American public for presumed electoral gain. This presentation of 'total sovereignty' fits precisely this pattern.
Here is what the Arab headlines are saying about the new Iraq government...
Quote:First test of the Iraqis' will. Broadest government formation in Iraq's history.
Headline in Baghdad's al-Mada
Public satisfaction over new president.
Headline in Baghdad's al-Mu'tamar
March for independence, beginning of democracy.
Headline in Baghdad's al-Shira
Yawer: Iraqi president with limited powers.
Headline in Baghdad's al-Zaman
Iraq has clearly taken an important step, a step that will clear the way for further new steps on the march towards freedom and sovereignty, on the road to building a federal, pluralist, democratic Iraq in which all will enjoy equal rights and duties.
Baghdad's al-Adalah
We should congratulate ourselves - we set out to go the extra mile for full sovereignty despite the weaknesses involved. We are seeking to pass through the transitional stage to lay the foundation of our new state. We do not expect this process to be so easy since it could be the most important stage of democratic construction.
Baghdad's al-Dustur
The Iraqi people's role in selecting the government has been marginalised. The occupation forces have flagrantly intervened to impose whoever pleases Washington and London... This means a plan has been cooked up well in advance for marketing through the United Nations... We therefore reject this formation, believing that such a method of selection in no way serves our people's interests and legitimate aspirations.
Baghdad's al-Da'wah
Agreement in Iraq - Iraqis are able to convince others that the country's future is their own business.
Saudi Arabia's al-Jazirah
Towards a new Iraq - Iraq will enter a new stage with its new president, Ghazi Yawer.
Saudi Arabia's Ukaz
They have overcome the difficulties of choosing the leader and members of the government through extensive efforts. Iraq has become a country and a government after an absence of more than a year... the most important thing now is: how will they rule Iraq?
Egypt's al-Ahram
Today, Iraqis are standing on the threshold of a new era. A country which has not known the meaning of stability and tranquillity for the past four decades yesterday took a step in the right direction by naming the first president of the republic since the fall of the former regime.
United Arab Emirates' al-Ittihad
It will be a new era and an arduous task... However, Iraq will not progress if all terrorist acts are not curbed.
Kuwait's al-Watan
Iraqis are close to realizing their dream of regaining their sovereignty and ruling themselves. Entering a new era yesterday in the shadow of the Anglo-American occupation, the transitional Governing Council which was formed by the US immediately after the fall of Baghdad last year was dissolved. The new government faces many difficult options and in order to transcend them it should have credibility among ordinary Iraqis who are bearing the brunt of the crimes, the practices of the occupation and the bloody events.
UAE's al-Bayan
The new regime in Iraq will be like that of [Afghan President] Hamid Karzai - a weak one backed by the US.
London-based al-Quds al-Arabi
Yawer's next mission will be to go on marathon trips for the sake of promoting the political system and brightening the image of the new government to his people. This job requires him to risk his life daily. He should convince his people that this is their government and not Bremer's, and that the UN and not the US is their custodian.
London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat
