Setting the Record Straight on Federalism in Iraq

Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the Biden-Brownback amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, which says it should be U.S. policy to support a political settlement in Iraq based upon the principles of federalism. The 75-23 bi-partisan vote, including 26 Republicans, marked the first time this year that the Senate has passed an Iraq-related policy measure.

Since then, some political leaders in Iraq have misunderstood the amendment. Instead of working to clear up any misunderstandings about the Senate amendment, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad issued a statement that dangerously mischaracterizes it.

Let's set the record straight:

First, the Biden-Brownback amendment does not call for the partition of Iraq. To the contrary, it calls for keeping Iraq together by bringing to life the federal system enshrined in its Constitution. Partition, or the complete break-up of Iraq, is something wholly different than federalism. A federal Iraq is a united Iraq, but one in which power is devolved to regional governments with a limited central government responsible for protecting Iraq's borders and oil distribution. It leaves the door open for stronger unity if and when passions cool, as we're seeing in the Balkans. Nor does the amendment call for dividing Iraq along sectarian lines. Rather, it calls for helping Iraqis implement their own Constitution, which provides for any of Iraq's 18 provinces to form regions and sets out the extensive powers of those regions and the limited powers of the central government. The result could be three regions, or four or five or more. It will be up to the Iraqi people.

Second, the amendment is not a foreign imposition. Iraqis already have made the decision to decentralize in their Constitution and federalism law. My amendment is about what the United States should do to help promote a political settlement consistent with these Iraqi decisions. Again, it will be up to the Iraqis. But the idea that the United States -- with 160,000 troops in Iraq, 3,804 dead and nearly 28,000 wounded -- does not have a right and responsibility to voice its views and to push for a political settlement is absurd.

Third, the amendment will not produce "bloodshed and suffering" in Iraq. It is hard to imagine more bloodshed and suffering than we've already seen, which has been exacerbated by the failure of Iraq's leaders to stop sectarian violence and produce a durable, widely accepted political settlement. More than 4 million Iraqis have already fled their homes for fear of sectarian violence, at a rate now of 100,000 every month. The whole purpose of my amendment is to end that bloodshed and suffering by promoting a power sharing arrangement that meets the interests of all Iraqis and gives them more local control over their daily lives.

The Bush administration is pursuing a fatally flawed policy in trying to create a strong central government in Iraq. There has been no significant reconciliation at the national level and there is no evidence that it will happen any time soon. Insisting on this failed approach will prolong and deepen Iraq's civil war, lead to a wider regional war, and irresponsibly increase the danger to over 160,000 American troops who are caught in the middle.

A few weeks ago I met top officials in Iraq -- Sunni, Shi'a and Kurdish. All of them expressed to me their support for federalism as called for in the Iraqi Constitution and its federalism law.

I believe my plan offers the best chance for the U.S. to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind. You can read more about my plan at www.PlanForIraq.com

Comments

[SteveCamp]

Biden is right-period!

[OldKnute]

Yahoooo!!!!

Yipeeeee!!!

Mr. Biden. Just take a look at our country, America. Our individual States are not too different than what is proposed under the 18 province system for Iraq.

Each State provides local Governments expressly sensitive to the local will of the people. Yet, each State finds representation in the larger national Federal system. Our strength and cohesiveness as a Nation comes from the things we do NOT agree on. Washington, to become the place where diverse issues are settled, the free flow of ideas comes to national attention, and by compromise, discussion and debate Federal Policies are formed.

To be honest Mr. Biden, I am not in the least surprised that George Bush would oppose a 18 province type of Federalist republic. This would go against the very same type of Imperial Presidency he seems bent on establishing here in America.

You have to remember George Bush was already spending Iraqi Oil the day he entered this war. He claimed to America that he would pay for this war with Iraqi OIL.

Sorry, I do not even think it is LEGAL to invade a country and then make your captors pay for the war. Just not right at all.

I just believe that George Bush thinks in these terms. This Empire like centralized power. Nearly, that he would seek the formation of a single minded, single ruler, single party Iraq. This rule may change a face now and then but the domination assured by corruption and Media control could last generations. Not unlike what we saw in Mexico over the last 100 years.

Mr. Biden, I support your views of a healthy, dynamic and diverse representative form of a Federal system.

The rights and wishes of local peoples would be better expressed and find voice. The localized province level administrations could be held more accountable and people more in direct control of their lives.

By the way.

Is Bush still trying to force the Iraqi people to pay for his war?



Charging the Iraqis for our mistake is WRONG.

All the best

Knute (Neo-LIB)

[realitytrumpsbull]

So Joe, HOW many decades will Iraq be occupied for?

[LizM]

If Senator Biden had his way, the US occupation of Iraq may very well have ended circa 2006. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Would you like to guess which presidential candidate has a comprehensive and viable strategy that offers the best and only hope there is to end the war in Iraq by facilitating a political solution based on federalism, and who would have the experience, strength of character, and proven record of the wise, respected and courageous leadership required to make it happen?

I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count!

[OldKnute]

Sounds like until BUSH can force the Iraqi People to PAY for his war.

Or until all the Iraqi Oil fields are have been privatized.

OR BOTH!

Remember in the Mission Accomplished speech.

*Iraqi OIL is now open for private investment.*

They didn*t even have a Government back then or a constitution?

How could George BUSH make up his own laws for the Iraqi people?

NOT GOOD!

That would be like George III saying to the American Colonies; I am going to make you pay for the French and Indian War. (Seven Years War).

Oh wait!

George the III did say that!

Oh,, But I forgot, George III was,,,, crazy.

All the best

Knute (Neo-LIB)

[godlessclif]

The truth does not stay posted. Dividing Iraq into
three states won't matter if we still steal thier oil.

This oil sharing law is baloney, just an excuse to run Iraqi oil through a corporate third party, where we can be sure Haliburton gets the refineries, Shell, BP, Exxon, Chevron get the oil.

[MoreWarDems4aDraft]

Support the Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment.

This plan is the best thing for Iraq and the Iraqi people.

[godlessclif]

And the best thing the oil companies. Is Shell contributing to the Biden campaign.

Black water Mercs shoot union men

"The Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) has announced that US occupation forces carried out an unprovoked attack against a crew of workers in the Rumaila oilfields in Basra on the morning of Monday 18 September. As a result of this cowardly and criminal act, Chief Engineer Talib Naji Abboud was wounded and taken to hospital where he died in the evening of Tuesday 19 September."

Kellog Brown and Root scabs get the refinery jobs.

" According to workers from the South Oil Company in Basra, which KBR is obliged to rehabilitate, they are not aware of any repairs KBR has actually undertaken. "
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/EL25Ak05.html

[US55588144]

Big News!



October 3, 2007
Press Release

Iraq's President Talabani Expresses Support for Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment


Washington, DC – Today, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. President Talabani welcomed the Senate’s approval of the Biden-Brownback amendment last week supporting federalism in Iraq, on a bipartisan vote of 75-23. He expressed his strong belief that the amendment promotes the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and is not, as some have mischaracterized it, a call for partition. He also emphasized that the amendment is completely consistent with the decision Iraqis have made to adopt a federal form of government in their Constitution.

In addition, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, speaking in Arabic on Tuesday to al-Iraqiyah Television, made the following remarks regarding the Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment: “They said they welcomed federalism. If federalism is what they really meant, why not? Federalism, after all, is stipulated in the Constitution. We, too, talked about federalism as this is a constitutional issue.”

Senator Biden said, “I welcome President Talabani's support for the Biden-Brownback amendment, and also Prime Minster Maliki's comments. Some – both in the United States and Iraq – have tried to mischaracterize our amendment as calling for the partition of Iraq. It is nothing of the sort. It calls for keeping Iraq together by bringing to life the federal system enshrined in its constitution. A federal Iraq is a united Iraq and the best path to a political settlement that virtually everyone agrees is necessary if we are to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.”

[Counselor1]

“Soft partition” should mean that U.S. troops, while withdrawing from Iraq's cities, would escort only willing Iraqis to resettle to zones of others of the same sect. Under soft partition Iraqis unwilling to move would assume the risk of fighting or making peace. Assumption of risk is a principle of freedom. Door-kickin'-in occupation is a principle of imperialism. Baghdad can be partitioned along the Tigris. The Green Zone goes to Sunni's moving to west Baghdad. Make a gift of Bush's embassy to the Iraqis. It's not worth one more life. The Kurds have their own government. The Sunnis are out of Maliki's. So we should offer Maliki's government the choice to stay in Baghdad alone or move to a self-defensible base in Shia territory. It's fantasy to think that the Military - Energy - Israel Lobby complex is going to let our troops out of Iraq. So U.S. troops should be redeployed to underpopulated areas to guard Iraq's oil and distribute its profits equitably. A large U.S. funded but not staffed U.N border force is the only thing that could keep Iraq “one” country, let unarmed refugees return and keep us and the Iranians apart.
It's also fantasy to think the U.S. can democratize Islamic countries by force and then they will automatically be favorable to U.S. -Israeli interests. It's worse to think that we can eliminate all armed groups in Middle East countries that attack us now and then. When Napoleon and Hitler each invaded Russia, a vast, primitive country with bad terrain and weather, their armies were destroyed. Likewise the U.S.S.R. in Afghanistan. We are just holding on in Afghanistan and Iraq. If we have to fight Iran and in Pakistan too, our military and economy will be severely stressed. Americans will not tolerate a “two-generation” war for democracy. Antisemitism and isolationism will damage our historic bond with Israel beyond repair. All American citizens and especially friends of Israel better step up and vocally and officially support support the measures listed above before it is too late.

[MoreWarDems4aDraft]

With Jesus in ones heart all things are possible. Ye of little faith.

[horhay]

??? Most Iraqis and Muslims would tell you the same thing about Muhammad.

[horhay]

Excellent analysis. Thank you.

[godlessclif]

'"Soft partition" should mean that U.S. troops, while withdrawing from Iraq's cities, would escort only willing Iraqis to resettle to zones of others of the same sect. Under soft partition Iraqis unwilling to move would assume the risk of fighting or making peace.'posted councilor1

This is putting Iraqis on Indian reservation by tribe at gunpoint. Does Biden think the euphemisms will fool anyone.

It is the same thing we did when oil was found in Indian Territory in Oklahoma. We resettled Cherokees away from the oil.

Shame on Joe Biden.

[godlessclif]

To the tune of Cherokee nation by
Paul Revere and the Raiders

We took the whole Iraqi nation
put them on a reservation
took away their way of life
Tent and rug and the kandjar knife

Shell and Exxon took their oil
Ancient treasures left to spoil
all the arts of Babylon
in the modern day are gone

Iraqi people, Iraqi tribes
how proud they lived, how sad they died

With contempt we heard their tongue
Taught our English to their young
Maybe one day when we learn
Iraqi nation will return

[wipeout]

I've been following Biden with his plan for a long time and I thought that the Biden-Boxer-Brownback Amendment would be the end of it. It is only the beginning. Now there is the task of educating the public, both here and in Iraq that there needs to be a political solution and local rule is the key. The devil is in the details of how to work out the oil revenues and limits and responsibilities of the central government. It could take a while. There is no time to lose.

[deminmo]

It doesn't appear to me that the centralized government is doing anything to help all Iraqi citizens get back their lives. It doesn't appear that the power and water has been turned on in all areas. Basic needs have to be met, if any long term progress can be made.

Then again, is this government there for the Iraqi people or is it there to enable all the no-bid contracts on Iraqi oil to happen easier?
Will the Iraqi people benefit from the oil, or will it only benefit oil investors? Civil war will continue if the Iraqi people see that some of them are getting shafted.

[adnerb]

at least he has an idea on how to go about and put an end to this war.

i do not see anyone else coming up with any ideas?

in a way i would like to partition it off b/c when churchill was there it was not even a country?

in the end lets do something to get the troops out..please

adnerb

[US55588144]

Federalism, Not Partition

By Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Leslie H. Gelb
Wednesday, October 3, 2007; Page A23



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100201824.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[LizM]

...excellent op-ed...thanks very much for that!

[susanlno]

That's really funny, the bit about Iraqis' making their own decisions. Like their recent decision to throw Blackwater out of their country. Guess that one showed who's the boss of Iraq.

[LizM]

Susan,

You"re not saying that you do not support Senator Biden's Iraq strategy, are you? Because it is the only political solution out there that offers any real hope for a responsible end to the war in Iraq in a way that does not leave chaos behind or the need for US troops to return at some time down the road.

I hope that you would agree that it is just as important HOW the US leaves Iraq and WHAT is left behind as WHEN US troops come home.

Senator Biden is the only presidential candidate who intimately understands what is required to facilitate a political solution in Iraq and who has the capacity and capability to make it happen.

Hopefully, the President will take up the offer by Senators Biden and Brownback and meet with them to discuss how best to proceed to promote a political solution and to give the President what he wants...a legacy that is not completely dismal.

[Halsey]

Liz,...your admiration for Biden continues..and yes, he's a bright guy...and I fear..sadly naive..
he states:

Iraqis already have made the decision to decentralize in their Constitution and federalism law

but he said he met with "leaders"...okay..Biden makes one fatal flaw...that rampant corruption will not find it's way into the "federal" system.

What would make Iraq differnt than say...DOH!..the U.S. of A?...in a perfect world..they (the leaders) would say...everyone gets an equal share in the oil..regardless of where they live...(see..the ARE many areas with NO oil whatsoever)...now if Biden could shove into their collective heads the program Alaska has used for years and years...it doesn't matter if you live on top of an oil field..or on top of a rock..you get an equal share..each and every year...they check is in the friggin mail...but..again..he (biden) naively assumes these federalists will do the right thing..put 1000's of years of tribal animosity behind them for the "greater good"..what evidence have they given? none...zero..zip...even the brutish al-Sadyr has lost control of this minions..they are now just common street thugs..

Biden, like Bush, just doen't "get" the history of the region.. I have no alternative whatsoever...and would hope Biden's plan might grow some legs... but sadly...the common Iraqi will never see a penny of those oil revenues..

they'll end up in the caymans or Switzerland...
just like Papa Doc (Haiti).., Mugabe, (Uganda)..and every other country that imperialism..frankly screwed up.

[kmdippenger]

anyone travel in Egypt lately? armed 'tourist police' with machine guns on every corner...great country to travel in and you feel very safe. the important thing is that the police are all Egyptians and the Egyptians will tell you how important it is for ANY change to come from them. Keep it up Mr Biden...help the Iraqi people, as diverse as they are, make the change they need for their own country and get our people out of there (start with the freeloaders).
btw....Iran is huge here in the burbs...people don't want us there too.

[Philosopher]

What we are trying to foist onto the Iraqi people in the way of a Federalist model of government is typical of our politicians who don't have a clue when it comes to culture. They are making the mistake of trying to force our American values onto the Iraqi people who have a different history, culture and value set. As everyone who is paying any attention at all knows, this was initiated by the Cheney Administration for the sole purpose of forcibly planting the American flag solidly in the middle of the Middle East so we could ensure that our oil companies can get their hands on Iraqi oil which they could not do before the invasion. It is no wonder that the current Iraqi "government" is doing nothing. They simply do not want what has been forced on them via the Bremer dictates that have the force of law only as long as the US military is in the country to enforce it. There will be no such thing as a stable Iraq until the US pulls out. Senator Biden and others are pathologically deluded if they think the US can simply invade another country, establish what it wants in the way of laws and then expect the people to somehow enthusiastically accept it.

[LizM]

Hey, Philosopher

It sounds to me like you are a Biden supporter You just haven't been made aware of it yet! Allow me to do the honors...

You and Senator Biden would find agreement on many issues. For instance, Senator Biden has been working long and hard in the Senate to put that body on record as being OPPOSED both to permanent US military bases in Iraq and to any US control over Iraq's natural resources.

Like you, Senator Biden does not advocate foisting, or imposing, or dictating or forcing anything upon Iraq or the Iraqi people. On the contrary, Senator Biden's Iraq strategy is a recognition of what most Iraqis want and simply provides a mechanism to get there.

Senator Biden, unlike many others, says what he means and means what he says. I know that takes a little getting used to because we have seen so little of what we now all like to call "speaking truth to power", not to mention speaking truth to the people - Senator Biden has built a career on this and may even have coined the term!

[MoreWarDems4aDraft]

You just don't get it Philosopher, this plan has worked throughout history.

You must remember in short order we must move-on to Iran, there is no time to waste in Iraq. We have to get that country secured.

[ocurry]

Biden...why don't you quit being a coward and take a film crew out to Dover Air Force base .. to record the secret bodies that are unloaded in the dark of night ???? No excuses!!

[US55588144]

I don't think that's Biden's job. What is the Media doing. Biden has adressed the "Fallen Angels" more than anyone.