IRAQ: Nassiriya’s meeting another transitional point, says UAE paper

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Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Apr 15 2003 (IPS) - Today’s meet between US officials and Iraqi opposition groups in Nassiriya is seen by a United Arab Emirates (UAE) daily as "another transitional point" along the journey to a successful takeover by Iraqis to control their own country. The Dubai-based ‘Gulf News’ believes that some of the top Iraqis will not be going, preferring to send deputies.

"If that is so, then the likelihood is that the Iraqis will merely listen to what the US has to say and report back to their respective leaders on what the US proposals are for the future of Iraq," ‘Gulf News’ said in its editorial today.

This form of meeting, it added, is unlikely to inject any sense of urgency into the participants, which is unfortunate, since there are many Iraqis who are already calling for the removal of the coalition forces, despite having been "liberated" by them.

– So it is obvious the longer the coalition stays in Iraq, the greater the likelihood of animosity arising from the populace." Equally, it is better for Iraqis, for the moment at least, to recognize that as the dominant power in the region, the US is best able to take temporary charge of administrative affairs, until such time as a suitable cadre of Iraqis can be established to take over, the paper argues.

ôThat suitability, though, must be recommended and endorsed by the Iraqi people themselves. Any attempt, apparent or otherwise, to impose an administration or government upon the Iraqis will be destined to fail and lead to catastrophe," it noted.

The ‘Gulf News’ is of the opinion that an interim government formed of Iraqis must be established as quickly as possible so that the interim government can be recognized by the United Nations.

ôIn doing so, it will legitimize that authority and allow it to move forward to formulate a new constitution and, ultimately, the establishment of parties that can challenge for power in a fully democratic election, where only Iraqis stand for candidacy," it concluded.