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Bremer Imperator and the backlash of hubris in Iraq
Michael Young
The Daily Star, 11/29/03
In the annals of imperial hubris one historical episode continues to
mesmerize, helping somewhat frame the American experience in Iraq.
It is the British rout in Afghanistan in 1842, after the governor-general of
India, Lord Auckland, decided to overthrow a competent Afghan ruler and
replace him with the empire’s own, far less impressive, favorite. The aim
was to thwart Russian ambitions in Afghanistan ambitions that had,
ironically, earlier been frustrated by the very man Auckland sought to oust.
For almost three years the British remained in Kabul, protecting their man,
until the Afghans revolted, forcing the occupiers into an appallingly bloody
retreat. The last act of the drama was played out in the Khyber Pass, from
which a single Briton exited alive.
Comparing US fortunes in Iraq with Britain’s fiasco in Afghanistan is
excessive. However, what is not is drawing a parallel between the behaviors
of imperial stewards who, confronted with cultures they little understand,
prefer to resort to imperious injunctions and the use of force. Much like
Auckland, the chief US administrator in Iraq, Lieutenant Paul Bremer, has
deployed apparent strength of will in recent months, only to see it
disintegrate in the face of a culture he cannot master.
This comes to mind after reading a report in the Washington Post earlier
this week that Bremer underestimated the power of a fatwa issued in June by
Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, in which the cleric called for general
elections to select those who would draft a new Iraqi constitution. Bremer
initially ignored the religious ruling, preferring to appoint the drafters,
despite the disagreement of many in the Iraqi Governing Council. As he told
visitors two months ago: “Is the political structure of Iraq going to be in
the hands of one man?”
Bremer was forced to backtrack, however, when he realized the weight of
Sistani’s fatwa. The Coalition Provisional Authority and the Governing
Council recently agreed that a new constitutional council would be elected
following the handing over of sovereignty to a provisional Iraqi government
next year.
The newspaper story confirmed this devastating portrait of Bremer by the
former Lebanese minister, Ghassan Salameh: “A month ago, many Arab
newspapers carried … a photograph of Bremer Imperator … sitting alone on
what looked like a three-meter-high throne, watching the first Iraqi
soldiers graduate. Many in the Middle East thought the caption should have
read: ‘The viceroy looking down in satisfaction on his praetorian guard’ …
(Bremer) is smart, dedicated, well traveled and charming, at least when he
has the patience. Although he was certainly not versed in things Iraqi, he
learns rapidly and makes up his mind quickly (sometimes with negative
effects that he tries, painfully, to correct later).”
Bremer surely realizes that the knives are out for him. An earlier victim of
the turn in the wheel of fortune was retired General Jay Garner, Bremer’s
predecessor. He must have taken some satisfaction in telling the BBC on
Wednesday that the US had made a number of mistakes in Iraq. He opined: “On
my part I would certainly (have) done a better job on having communications
with the Iraqi people,” and underlined that the Coalition could have done
more to quickly restore electricity after the war by shipping in large
generators. Most severely and this was a dart aimed solely at Bremer he
argued the US should have speeded up the establishment of an Iraqi
government.
Observers have suggested in recent weeks that the Bush administration needs
a fall guy in Iraq. Bremer would seem to be the prime candidate. The verdict
is premature, however, since Bremer remains the sole guarantor of the
balance of power between the administration’s departments vying to shape
Iraq policy. His removal would open a bureaucratic can of worms on a new
appointment. Furthermore, Bremer has become de facto manager of the transfer
of power to the Iraqis next year, so that his recall would merely tarnish
the process.
Nevertheless, it is likely that these are Bremer’s last months in office. A
new Iraqi provisional government next year will require a new viceroy,
particularly one reflecting the supposedly more balanced relationship
between the US and a sovereign Iraq. With that in mind, it is necessary for
the administration to begin searching for a replacement who can help
overhaul American political behavior in Baghdad, and do so in a way that is
both more versatile and attuned to Iraqi political and cultural
sensitivities.
Bremer’s repeated backtracking he now wants to urgently rebuild an Iraqi
military force after having unwisely dissolved the army; and to quickly set
up a sovereign government after having earlier rejected such an option has
wasted valuable time. His replacement should not have to turn Iraq into a
private classroom. The success of the US effort in Iraq is too vital to
leave to someone who will confuse self-confidence and arrogance.
As he picked up the pieces of his ill-advised Afghan adventure, Auckland is
said to have remarked, “The whole thing was unintelligible for me.” The Bush
administration’s priority today must be to ensure that neither Bremer nor
his successor will ever be able to utter such a wretched phrase.
Michael Young is opinion editor of THE DAILY STAR.
His weblog is www.beirutcalling.blogspot.com
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| The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03). |
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