The Hindu : U.S. exit strategy in Iraq evokes sharp response

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 17, 2003

International

International

U.S. exit strategy in Iraq evokes sharp response

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA Nov. 16. The declaration of U.S. intent through the Iraqi Governing Council on Saturday to give up its political control of Iraq by June has reinforced demands in the region that Washington should stage a complete withdrawal, amid assertions that Iraqi resistance has played a key role in changing American policy towards Baghdad.

"After attacks on U.N. and Red Cross personnel, an embarrassingly large number of `transfer tubes', the new term for body bags, being flown home to the U.S. and the reluctance of America's allies to cough up either troops or cash for the Iraq debacle, the Bush administration may be preparing to cut and run", Linda S. Heard, a Cairo-based columnist, specialising in West Asia, told The Hindu. Similar sentiments were expressed by the Egyptian daily Al-Jumhuriyah, which also gave credit to the Iraqi resistance for speeding up the U.S. intent to withdraw.

"The U.S. has got two options in Iraq: one, continue implementing its plans of going to war against Iraq and bear the responsibility of all the consequences... or two, hasten the transfer of power to a representative of the Iraqi people by conducting free and fair elections under the supervision of the U.N. ...Despite these two scenarios, the Iraqi resistance is most effective. That is the way people always win."

Under the U.S. plan endorsed and announced by the Governing Council, a provisional Iraqi government will be in place by June next year.

An Iraqi Assembly that will represent a cross section of the society will be established in May 2004 and it would elect the transitional government. The provisional government, in turn, will draft a constitution, paving the way for elections by the end of 2005. It would also deal with the contentious question of U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

A commentary by the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi says, "The U.S. administration has begun to realise that its predicament in Iraq has becom every high-priced, both materially and in terms of human losses... A prompt U.S. withdrawal is the only way out because the U.S. invasion of Iraq was a flagrant mistake from the start".

Domestic compulsions

One view explaining Washington's policy shift cites U.S. domestic compulsions. Without commenting on the role played by the Iraqi guerillas, Gulf News, a daily from the United Arab Emirates, says in its editorial, "too many questions are being asked in (U.S.) Congress about the situation in Iraq. Not only by Democrats, but also by Republicans who are leery about elections if things continue as they are''.

Media commentaries in West Asia also advise the U.S. to show greater sensitivity to the region's culture in order to protect its long-term interests after the Iraq debacle.

Saudi Arabia's daily Al-Watan points out, "Washington should pay close attention to its long-term interests by understanding the culture and the political map of the region.

President Bush should rectify his stand and avoid repeating his errors in Iraq so that the region and the world can avoid a new war".

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