One of Ours

The Transition of Authority to an Iraqi sovereign government is only 69 days away. In practical matters, it will be only a date on the calendar. In philosophical matters, it is a brave voyage in a region mired in centuries of darkness.

The press and even some lazy politicians seem to believe Iraqi Sovereignty is an on-off switch, controlled by one all powerful person. Suddenly on 1 July 04 there is a something evil or wonderful, according to one’s preconceptions.

The Transition has already started and is a continual project. The Transition is the collaborative effort of multiple individuals, governments, religions, ethnic groups and non-government agencies.

The Transition is happening. The Ministry of Science and Technology is the most recent ministry among a half dozen or so to become totally self-governing. While self-governing, the ministries continue to build and improve their capacity through the assistance of not only the USA but also other members of the Coalition and non-Coalition members. There is $18 billion of aide [sic] just starting in Iraq, strengthening the people and their government that will continue for years.

[...]

The UN is probably one of the least respected foreign organizations by the Iraqi people. Saddam cleverly circumvented with the help of the UN ten years of sanctions. The Oil For Food (OFF) project will be the keynote program of collaboration that impoverished the Iraqi people, built hundreds of palaces for Saddam’s group and lined the pockets of the UN administrators and several foreign national governments. Such as France and Russia. Iraqis consider the UN a collaborator with Saddam.

1 July will squarely set the mantle of responsibility upon the Iraqi people for the conduct of their own affairs. The blame game by pundits of the rebuild of Iraq will no longer be an automatic referral the US and the Coalition. There is no perfect time to shift the burden of self-government. But 1 July is a good day within a long process.