A political, diplomatic solution is needed in Iraq. And, a step toward it could be accomplished if Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, General David Petraeus, commander of the Multinational Forces Iraq, would meet with Mohammed al-Daini, a Sunni member of the Iraq Parliament, whose goal would be to negotiate the end of the occupation.
Sources in Iraq tell me that Iraqis on the ground respect General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker and have grown to trust an outspoken Member of Parliament, Mohammed al-Daini. These perceptions could be an opportunity to start useful talks that could have beneficial - and acceptable - outcomes for all.
Petraeus is noted for his ability to be flexible, logical, and intelligent; Crocker is an experienced diplomat, an Arabist, known for his skill in tough situations. Both men were "dissidents" a few years back, recognizing that the keep-on-keeping-on strategy in Iraq wasn't working.
Al-Daini, although less well known, has gained a tremendous amount of respect with the Iraqi population after he exposed the Death Squads. A member of the secular National Dialogue Front Party, al-Daini speaks for Sheikh Hareth Al-Dhari, the cleric who is to the Sunnis, the leader that al-Sistani is to the Shia. Al-Daini uses facts and documents to expose corruption within the government and is an activist, openly confronting powerful leaders in Parliament, on national TV, and Arab satellite channels. Al-Daini is also continuing work with the rival Shiite groups, the Fadheela party and the Sadrists, to make up a genuine coalition.
As with any emerging leader, al-Daini has his share of critics who say he is overly tied to the Sunni groups, that he has a cousin who's a terrorist, and that he funded the documentary.
In reality, al-Daini is an Iraqi nationalist, whose wife and mother are both Shiite. He is considered to have great influence with both Shiites and Sunnis in government -- neither accuses him of being a sectarian Sunni. Al-Daini says he does not know the terrorist that some say is his cousin and pointed out the fact that in the governorate of Diyala alone there are more than 100,000 people who belong to the Daini tribe and carry its name as is the custom is in Iraq, examples of which are the family names of Al-Tikriti, Al-Anni, Al-Rawi. He has been accused of funding a documentary that exposes the And, I don't know who funded the documentary, but that seems immaterial. What is important is that the activities of the Death Squads were uncovered and broadcast by a credible British news organization whose investigative work is well known. Their Dispatches documentaries are considered similar to the U.S program "60 Minutes."
Al-Daini has had eight assassination attempts made on his life, signifying that his activism is getting in the way of others' agendas.
Situation Critical
The need for the meeting is clear. Here is the current situation in Iraq.
1.According to Iraqi sources, the situation in Baghdad has become ultra-critical and sources are reporting that Iranian army units have infiltrated the area.
2.Al-Maliki (now, with his Al-Dawa group and not the SCIRI) is playing the Iranian game. One of Al-Dawa's members, Minister of State Shirwan Al-Waili, is now leading a force of 17,000 Iranians in Baghdad. The situation is extremely serious.
3.The United States must take the Iranian infiltration in the government of Al-Maliki and in Iraq seriously. The Iraqi National Forces see the Iranian occupation as a more dangerous threat to Iraq than the American presence.
4.The present government is near chaos and collapse and has lost control over the different factions in the Shiite group. The Fadheela group has split from the Sunni block (UIA). The Sadrists kicked out two of their ministers yesterday, accusing them of collaborating with the Americans.
5.The Maliki Government moved yesterday to remove the immunities of major party blocks and parliamentarians.
6.Sheik Harith Al-Dhari, the Sunni counterpart to al-Sistani, had a press conference in Cairo two days ago. He thanked the US members of Congress that took a position to stand against the continuation of US presence in Iraq.
7.The present government in Iraq will not be able to push the present Oil Law. If passed by Parliament it will not be able to implement, if changed the Law will be cancelled and no future government will be able to implement it or any agreements resulting from it.
Why Crocker and Petraeus Should Meet with Mohammed al-Daini?
Mohamed speaks for the National Forces. The fact that this group has a presence with and control among the general Iraqi population makes the difference. If a solution is to be found for the present situation in Iraq, then the National Forces are the ones that can reach out to the real forces on the ground. They are the ones to speak with in order to arrive at an acceptable government that can bring peace, security, and an end to the conflict.
The Iraqi people will listen to the National Forces. The Shiite and Sunni secular groups present in the existing government have lost all support from the general population. The population has reached a situation where many now hate the word "religion" because these parties have only brought destruction, lack of security, and economic standstill.
When the former Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, left to take up his post in the U.N., it was reported that for the past year he had been unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a settlement with the Iraq Resistance. According to the authors of a New York Times article on March 25, "Ahmad Chalabi, an Iraqi politician who is a friend of Mr. Khalilzad, said the talks fizzled partly because insurgent representatives made untenable demands made untenable demands. They sought a suspension of the Constitution, breakup of Parliament, reinstatement of the old Iraqi Army and establishment of a new government."
Perhaps the time has come to negotiate again. Success may be at hand.
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Written in collaboration with Jennifer Hicks