UN fury over Bush attempts to install PM

[DoYouEverWonder]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=525308

27 May 2004

The Bush administration was accused yesterday of undermining the work of the UN envoy attempting to put together an interim Iraqi government, by suggesting that a respected nuclear scientist was tipped to be prime minister.

The spokesman for Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy in Baghdad, reacted with fury after US officials were quoted as saying that Hussain Shahristani had emerged as the leading candidate. Mr Shahristani, a Shia, spent almost a decade in prison under Saddam Hussein after refusing to build a nuclear weapon, but he escaped into exile in 1991.

"There is no final list yet, we are still working on it," said the spokesman, Ahmad Fawzi, who denied that Mr Shahristani was the leading contender for the post. "Now his life could be in danger," he added, now that Mr Shahristani's name had been leaked. "This is a dangerous city." In New York, a UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said the report in yesterday's Washington Post was "pure speculation which is not helpful to the process".

Mr Brahimi is working against the clock to announce a government of 30 people by next Monday, with the delicate task of striking a viable balance among all the Iraqi factions. "He is getting into the endgame of this, but a number of names are still in play for the top jobs," said an official. While the lower level positions have been agreed, Mr Brahimi's private consultations have intensified as he attempts to nail down Iraqi approval for the positions of president, prime minister, and two vice-presidents.

[Justice]

1. It just gets worse and worse....

These guys can't do anything right.

[saigon68]

10. No they need their PUPPET

Unless he's protected like Bremer he won't last long (US TAX DOLLARS FOR SENIORS AND CHILDREN WASTED)

[Eye and Monkey]

17. Puppet-in-a-Bubble. Recall "the Mayor of Kabul", Hamid Karzai.

[saigon68]

20. Know him well

He is truly "the Man in the Bubble" he has at least 300 Blackwater "mercenaries" protecting his sorry ass at any given time.

All on the US taxpayers "Teat".

[Eye and Monkey]

22. 300,000 $ per day, plus expenses and per diem. 109 million $ per year.

And that's just for security.

Pricey puppet. Maybe we should see if Disneyworld can come up with something more, cough, cost-efficient.

[Beetwasher]

2. Another STUNNING Diplomatic Failure

The embarrassment never ends...Sharhistani has now said he will not take the position...Who could blame him?

[Just Me]

3. Intentional sabotage,...that's what it is!!!

God, I despise the neocons,...I really, really do.

[AndyTiedye]

13. Do You Think They Want This Guy Killed?

Iraqis who are seen as collaborators seem to have short life-expectencies these days.

[Just Me]

21. Their "sabotage" is targeted at the UN. Everyone/anyone else,...

,...is merely "collateral damage". They don't give a damn about particular people. They just want to do whatever it takes to inflate their own power,...and any/every organization or nation that could possibly challenge that power IS AN ENEMY. They are so fuckin' recycled from a century or two ago. I just hope that, once they are defeated,...the past will be defeated along with them.

[maddezmom]

4. read this link: Iraqi Scientist doesn't want the job

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x584650

[Webster Green]

5. Why the hell would anyone want the job?

Its a death sentence.

[maddezmom]

8. no fooling...car bombs and RPG's

it's obviously a tough sell for qualified candidates

[Eye and Monkey]

18. Chalabi. Bremer. Saddam Hussein. Etc.

[w13rd0]

9. Was he aware that Bush was going to finger him...

...to be marked for death ahread of time? What a terrible thing to do to a person. Can you imagine the calls he got from friends, must have been almost like winning the lottery, but in a bad, sad, tragic kind of way.

"No, no one told ME that, what are you talking about?"

"Bush, babbling on TV, he said you are going to be the new president."

"What? No one informed me of this. I didn't send my resume in to them. I'm not even looking for a job, especially not that one."

"Come on man, think about all the chicks you could score."

"Oh yeah, in the what, 10 minutes before I'm whacked?"

"Well, yeah, basically."

"Nope, no way, someone call Boosh and tell him he's off his damned rocker."

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

12. Lol

[Tellurian]

6. Saddam kept Hussain Shahristani in prison...

for refusing to build nuclear weapons?

Bush would have had him decapitated, if he refused to obey!

As it is, I imagine Bush pressured him with some kind of agreement.
Like build nuclear weapons for the US-- OR ELSE!

[UpInArms]

7. the dumb and dumber routine ceased to be

amusing .... well - okay, it was never amusing.

These things are either idiots or evil - but those two things are not mutually exclusive. They may be evil idiots.

[Disturbed]

14. Evil Idiots.

One could surmise that they are moronic Sociopaths. Shall we take a vote? ;)

[belle]

23. The movie "Fargo" comes to mind.

[David__77]

11. I hope Brahimi names those who are very anti-occupation.

That would concur with the wishes of the Iraqi people. If the British proposal for something at least resembling independence is adopted and a representative government is formed, it could put the occupation on the spot. Of course, I somehow doubt this will happen.

It's imperative that the international community not accept hegemonism in the region. No resolution abetting occupation should be adopted.

[Robbien]

15. This was intentional, Bush didn't want Shahristani so he had the name leak

Bush has Blackwell over there suposedly to 'help' Brahimi pick the council. It could be Brahimi wanted Shahristani and Blackwell didn't, so BushCo leaked the name knowing it would put Shahristani in danger forcing Shahristani to deny he would take the job.

[GoBlue]

16. Altogether now

BUSH IS FUBAR

[dusty64]

19. Oh brother, they

just can't stop can they.

[DoYouEverWonder]

24. You get the feeling that

the misadministration is out of control?