Posted by
Reeson on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 10:06:06 AM
The private intelligence firm
Stratfor recently reported that Ali al-Lamy, head of Iraq's Supreme National Council for de-Baathification said the government has drafted a law that could reinstate thousands of members of the Baath Party who were purged after the initiation of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
If the law passes, it will allow some former regime members (not the top 1,500 considered complicit in crimes) to return to their jobs or receive pension payments. Even though this move is considered a "reaching out gesture" to Sunni Arabs that once dominated political life in Iraq, the Baath Party itself will remain outlawed.
The Sunnis have demanded this move for quite some time. It is a bit puzzling why the Shiite dominated unity government is taking this approach now, though. Perhaps there is concern about a U.S. withdrawal; or perhaps there is concern about rumors of U.S. talks with insurgent leaders. Either way, it seems that any possible move for reconciliation is being explored. There is no doubt that the U.S. will leave at some point. The question then becomes who will rule the roost once that happens. Politicking and maneuvering can be considerably easier if accommodations can be made that help stem the tide of violence.