Allawi shapes up as Iraq's iron man

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A FORMER Iraqi prime minister who is tipped to return as a “strongman” leader if Baghdad’s faltering government falls has challenged the American-led coalition’s objective of creating a western-style democracy even though the country is in turmoil.

Allawi said that he had told friends in the West that they could not “photocopy” their democratic systems and impose them on Iraq and the Third World. With sectarian violence spiralling out of control and the government of Nouri al-Maliki unable to stop it, Allawi said that various political groupings were discussing alternatives.

Allawi, 61, said the current crisis could be not be allowed to continue. Last Tuesday more than 100 people were kidnapped in broad daylight from an education ministry research institute by Shi’ite militiamen wearing police uniforms. On Wednesday 105 people died violently, 54 of them tortured and shot. “Things cannot be left as they stand now,” said Allawi.

Allawi believes that if the militias refuse to halt their violence they should be wiped out. “We need to have a strong core of military and police loyal to the country with a clear cut leadership who can implement law and order in the country and take the militias out — by force if necessary, if dialogue fails,” he said.

Link

[ECH1969]

1. Bush will never admit he was wrong

Bush won't support Allawi because it would mean Bush was wrong to quickly force democracy on Iraq. But, if there was one man who would have any hope of keeping Iraq from being either a new Somalia or a new Islamic Republic of Iran it would be this guy. Allawi wanted to take out Sadr in August 2004 when he rose up for the second time, but the WH stopped him because it was close to the election and they were scared of what killing Sadr and destorying his militia would have done that decision cost hundreds of American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives.

[Disturbed]

2. Does anyone believe the story that Allawi shot six detainees

in the head at a police station?

Allawi shot prisoners in cold blood: witnesses - After Saddam ...
Iyad Allawi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, pulled a pistol and executed as many as six suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station, just days before ...

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/16/1089694568757.html?oneclick=true

[ECH1969]

3. It turns out that story was intentionally planted by Allawi

to give him a strongman image amoungst the people. Most Iraqis who heard that story were happy about it.

The Iraqi people want order and want someone that will bring them order even if it means killing lots of people as Saddam did to achieve order. What most Iraqis would be most happy with is a nicer and smarter version of Saddam who can make provide security.

The complete opposite of order is what you have now, a government that won't go after the dozens of armed groups kidnapping and killing Iraqis by the dozens and totally at random everyday. The Iraqi government can't go after those militias because the militia leaders are part of the government and have veto power, thus the situation is stuck sliding slowly downhill.