June 1, 2004
EARLY TRANSFER?:
Al-Yawer named Iraq's new president (AP, 6/1/2004)
The U.S. and Saudi-educated head of Iraq's Governing Council was named president of the interim Iraqi government Tuesday, after the Americans' preferred candidate turned down the post.The selection of Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer to the largely ceremonial post broke a deadlock over the makeup of a new Iraqi government set to assume power June 30.
Hours later, the Governing Council decided to dissolve immediately rather than remain in office until the transfer of sovereignty June 30, said council member Younadam Kana.
Kana told reporters that 20 of the 22 members of the U.S.-appointed body, which was appointed last July, agreed to disband. She said that two members expressed reservations, arguing the interim constitution adopted in March required the council to continue its work until the sovereignty transfer.
They're ready even if the punditocracy isn't ready for them to be ready.
MORE:
U.S. Shifts Focus in Iraq to Aiding New Government: U.S. commanders are writing orders to shift military focus from combat to protecting a new Iraqi government and the economy. (THOM SHANKER, 6/01/04, NY Times)
Let's hope so.
Bush's approach is pretty much bankrupt if it's true (which perhaps it wasn't) that his preferred candidate was an 81-year-old sheik with no constituency beyond his own tribe. Even if it is supposed to be a largish tribe.
It reminded me of the College of Cardinals electing moribund prelates because they cannot agree on having a leader would, you know, lead.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 1, 2004 3:26 PMHis tribe was The Tribe, the neocons.
Posted by: oj at June 1, 2004 5:14 PMPachachi, is not just an 81 year old sheik; He's a
Western educated diplomat, scion of an old line Sunni family that produced two prime ministers in preRevolutionary Iraq (re Charles Tripp's History
of Iraq)He also had a cameo in Oren's retelling
of the Six Day War, as the UN delegate trying to
rationalize his nation's disastrous blunder.
Compare this will Al Ghawar, a Sunni throwback, tied to the Saudis,like his Lebanese counterpart
Mr. Hariri, who obtained his most recent post, due to the passing of a much worthier man