Let’s Get Going – There’s A War On

09/27/2006

Paul Munnis

The debate over the national intelligence agencies findings on terrorism is a ridiculous media battle arising from desperation and despair by the GOP.

The unfortunate thing about Mr. Bush’s denial about the realities of the Iraqi War and the War in Afghanistan is that he has the political parties squabbling over election viewpoints even as 1,000 people are dying per month in Iraq alone.

This is delaying a much needed national discussion on what to do about these wars, what the American responsibilities are to the people of those war ravaged nations, and the development of a national vision to base U.S. Foreign Policy around.

Clearly the nation of Iraq has entered Civil War. Should they be allowed to fight it out without American involvement or should America act as a riot police and keep the warring sectarian parties apart?

That is a basic near-term tactical question needing immediate response.

For my part I think that we have created this mess and that we have responsibility for the safety and health and well being of the Iraqi people as occupiers of territory under the terms of international law. I think that not to do our policing duty is criminal. I think that we need a modern Marshall Plan.

How do we do this policing duty? Partition the nation into three sections and relocate people by religious affiliation into the three sections. Form a national zone and give the new Iraqi government the authority over it. Centralize the national banking and government within the Federal zone. What is now the green zone will be the Federal Zone and as neighborhoods are emptied then the Green Zone will be expanded in size and scope.

What about oil distribution. The U.S. will manage oil sales and distribute the profits on a per capita basis until the Iraqi government is organized. Then the Iraqi central government will take over the oil responsibility. The U.S. should arrange to purchase the oil direct from Iraq using a long-term contract and use the oil to refill strategic reserves and to make military purchases. At least we’d get something back from our investment.

Will the Iraqi’s want to go? Some will and some won’t. Those who register to go and then do so will be assured of oil money distribution. Those that don’t opt to relocate will lose their guaranteed oil income. As relocation happens a census will be taken and voters will be automatically registered to vote. Zone elections will be held to form provincial governments.

Will some Iraqis have to be forced to go? Yes, those who don’t want to go may have to be rounded up and transported. It will be a one way trip out of Baghdad with the return routes blocked. Those trying to return must be treated as insurgent sympathizers.

Will it cost the U.S. a lot of money? Yes. I know that we have spent nearly a trillion dollars all told on this war. I also know that we will continue to bleed money unless we make a peace investment. 

Will housing, schools, infrastructure like lighting, sewage, water, and medical have to be put in place first? Yes. That will take a bit of time and so the plan should be announced it to the Iraqi’s and they should then have time to discuss it with family and friends and then they should be allowed to sign-up for relocation assistance.

The benefits of relocation should be sold to the people of Iraq and those not opting to go should be saved for last on the relocation schedule. Those choosing relocation should be given choices in housing and of location within the new zones. Then construction to meet their housing needs should happen and be rapid and be done right by Iraqi people employed specifically to get the job done. Keep Halliburton out of it.

Will we have enough people to pull this off? No, we will not and so Iraqi civilians must be employed to help in the logistics. Failing that then a US draft of 18 and 19 year-olds for Iraqi relocation duty may have to be done. These people would not be troops but they would be under military employment. If loading and relocation is done in convoys then the military can perform convoy protection. Ground responsibility will go to the Iraqi Army for this job and U.S. forces will provide supervision and aerial assistance.

Can a plan like this be built upon to address many other questions? Yes it can and that I why a Federal government is needed in Iraq.

The Iraqi government should be told to get organized or else they will be dissolved and a new election held to elect people who will get the job done. Give them 30 days to convene and to set a legislative agenda. If they balk then throw the bums out and hold new elections once the new zones are set up. The new zones are the functional equivalent of redistricting anyhow and likely new legislative elections will be needed right after relocation is done.

I take no credit for these ideas. Sen. Joseph Biden has advanced the basic notion of partitioning and the rest is just a consequence of accepting such a plan. It is up to an indecisive Administration to make some decisions for peace and to start committing themselves to making peace happen. Otherwise these wars are going to string out forever.