A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
|
|
|
A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
|
May 26, 2004The New Iraqi Prime Minister?Several news outlets were reporting late last night that the new prime minister of Iraq would be Dr. Hussain al-Shahristani. It was then promptly reported this morning that Shahristani would not be the guy. I don't know anything about him other than what's mentioned in these articles -- but the guy sounds really quite impressive. He's apparently a true humanitarian, an Iraqi patriot, and something of a resistance hero from the Saddam days. He was Iraq's leading nuclear scientist, but refused to be transferred to the nuclear weapons program and spend 11 years in Abu Graib prison for it. He's relatively non-political -- he didn't join any of the Iraqi exile groups. But he's also a close friend to Ayatollah al-Sistani. That's almost a perfect combination, I would think. Granted, the Sunnis and Kurds will be uncomfortable with a Sistani man at the top, but you can name Sunnis and Kurds to the other top spots. And ultimately, the moderate Shiites are the ones you want to make sure are on board. This guy sounds almost like Vaclav Havel, and might garner the same kind of broad respect that Havel had as first president of a free Czechoslovakia. Update: There's a bit more detail in this profile. Boy, this guy's story would make for a great movie. Posted by William Swann at May 26, 2004 10:58 AMComments
He appears to be one of three finalists, and he certainly seems to have the necessary street cred. Do you suppose they are considering him for one of the other leadership roles? The US has so far only denied that he is the pick for prime minister. Posted by: PurpleStater at May 26, 2004 05:16 PMWho knows. It may be some embarassment with the story having broke from U.S. sources. The company line is that this is the U.N. picking an interim government -- not the U.S. So U.S. government sources leaking it first is a problem, image-wise. Posted by: William Swann at May 26, 2004 06:41 PM |
Archives
March 2006
February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003
Recent Entries
Dubai Out
Why So Long Between Democracies? Round One, Centrism Rock Lobster? Blackwell Releases "Worst-Treated" List "IRV" used in Burl., VT for mayor election. Great idea! Random Thread Election 2006: Round One A Proper Multiculturalism Bush proposes line item veto act - what's changed?
|
