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

[antonypayne]

Let's not forget that 100s of years ago there were three tribes in what is now the United Kingdom. Wales, Scotland and England. Each has its own identity.

[rmc53x]

and the Irish would have nothing to do with any of them!

[herronsmith]

It does no good to use comparisons as the territory, cultures, people and so forth are so very different. Regardless, I applaud Joe B. for offering a sound solution and one the Iraqis apparently agree upon. Thank God someone has a solution. The other candidates seem too busy pimping their wares. Unless something very revealing shows up, Joe has my vote.

[DBuk]

By the way, I suggest that you the plan’s detractors look up the definitive distinction between FEDERALISM and PARTITION if you want to criticize Biden’s plan more effectively. I especially recommend that anyone with an interest in what the Iraqis ACTUALLY WANT look into the work of Bakar Humam Hammoudi, the Iraqi Constitution committee chairman, Fouad Massoum, the chair of the Kurdish delegation and Adnan al-Janabi, chair of the Sunni delegation. Also pay examine the efforts of Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq’s largest political party Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) and look at the United Iraqi Alliance, which got 4.08 million out of 8 million (48.1%) votes in 2005. I urge everyone to examine their negotiations between Iraqi Shia, Sunni and Kurd AND look at their own consensus: they WANT FEDERALISM. Joe Biden is making the U.S. listen to that IRAQI consensus. He wants IRAQ to be for IRAQIS.

Biden simply wants to give the Iraqis what they themselves want: their own regions officially recognized AND legalized (they already have de facto regions) and thereby their territorial integrity/autonomy respected. If this is done, the ethnic-based civil war WILL END, because the regions will largely be autonomous and no one would even WANT to cross into the different regions because they WANT their own INDEPENDENT regions. One of the main reasons for the “civil war” is that everyone wants their own local affairs to be left untouched by the other side. That is even written in their own constitution. Biden is giving them what they want. Their desires might not be explicit all the time, but it is definitely strongly implicit in the ethnic slaughter going on right now in Iraq.

I also suggest critics who worry about federalism's effects on the Sunni minority look at the advocacy efforts of Tareq al Hashemi, the head of the Islamic Party of Iraq (IPI), which is a widely-popular Sunni political party. He also is a major participant within the Iraqi consensus that Iraq should have federalism.

[DBuk]

I recently came across an op-ed by Robert Scheer criticizing Biden’s Iraq plan

One excerpt I think is misguided:
"Actually, Senator, you do have a higher obligation: to think through the need for this mission before you vote to put troops in harm's way..."

I think someone needs to point out a crucial fact: our soldiers are ALREADY there- Biden's NOT putting more soldiers in Iraq. Not funding their protection means more of those soldiers will die- and I highly doubt that Mr. Scheer wants more of our soldiers to die. Simply stripping our soldiers of their protection would mean that we'll bring home dead American soldiers while we could have brought home those same soldiers ALIVE. Biden has stated on numerous occasions that we need to bring our soldiers home as earliest as possible. Maybe he should have made his wish more explicit- to bring home our men and women ALIVE.

"Fortunately, the vast majority of Iraqis, whom Biden did not bother to consult, rejected that prescription for ethnic cleansing and endless civil war. Fully 98 percent of Iraqis told BBC/ABC pollsters that dividing their country along sectarian lines would be bad for Iraq..."

This is another excerpt that I find glaringly false. The fighting in Iraq IS "ethnic cleansing" AND "civil war". The chaos now going on in Iraq is mainly Shia killing Sunni, Kurds killing Shia, etc. They will NEVER get along- at least in the near future. ALSO, Iraq is ALREADY divided up into regional zones, and trespassers from the different regions are slaughtered; this is the civil war we’ve been hearing about. Iraq is already "partitioned" and consumed by "ethnic cleansing" and "civil war".

[LizM]

I can"t believe that particular Robert Scheer post is still up on the boards here. I am not really that surprised that someone in his position can be so completely ignorant about a subject but that he would choose to write about it, and betray his own ignorance in so doing, does surprise me.

I am hopeful that he doesn"t have a great following around here, or anywhere else, for that matter.

[janmB]

From the start --this Administration failed to put their best propaganda people out there to sell the IRAQIS that the USA is there to help them---not to pilfer their natural resources or occupy their country for an unlimited time.
This communication might have stopped some of the insurgency to prevail and to light a fire underneath the IRAQIS to secure and plan a new future.

[phyllba]

I've agreed with Biden all along, not because he's right, but because it's sensible and doable. The Central government and Bush have something to gain by fighting among themselves and by having these many American troops to do the Iraqi work.
That we should not have gone into Iraq is something my friends, relatives and I vociferously said, but we can't help our so called government's actions, just as the average Iraqis are powerless to shake up their socalled government of power players who are not yet willing to make compromises.
Today Trudy Rubin in the Philadelphia Inquirer derided Biden's plan, saying this isn't Bosnia.
She pointed out the neighboring countries don't want a soft partition,which they believe will harm them.
She has a point, but the international community of Arabs have been ineffective, letting our Americans do the bloodletting.

[LizM]

Trudy Rubin is flat wrong about her assertion that Iraq's neighbors, particularly Turkey, don't want federalism in Iraq. That is the best case scenario for Turkey, as they now realize.

She is right to say that its not Bosnia - no kidding - its actually far better than Bosnia insofar as there is much less history of sectarian violence in Iraq than there was in the former Yugoslavia.

Because the alternative to what Biden is advocating is a virtually independent Kurdish state on the Turkish border - not exactly in the best interests of Turkey...last time I checked.

She didn't by chance suggest another way out of Iraq that would offer as much hope as the Biden strategy, did she?

[Mookie1948]

Joe Biden has been offering us some clear-headed and well-founded policy counsel for years. I wish the electorate would wake up to the virtues of this wise, very sane man.

[THISTLE]

I totally agree Senator Biden is the most qualified candidate running for President.
Not only is he the most experienced, the most
intelligent, the most respected by world leaders,
he is a man of candor, he is the only one running
who tells the whole truth. And he is man who
has been tested in his personal life. As a very
young man and newly elected Senator his wife and
young daughter were killed. His two sons were
seriously injured. He took care of his sons,
took his oath of office in their hospital rooms,
and was there every minute for them. As he
raised them, he took the train from Washington
every night to be home with his family for
dinner and still does. Senator Biden would make
an outstanding President, and he is the one who
is the most experienced, the most qualified.

[US55588144]

Thistle, I'm in total agreement with your comment!

[Troubledgoodangel]

Se. Biden is absolutely on the mark! There is a desperate need that someone translate the article which the Senator has written, into Arabic, and publish it immediately, at whatever cost, in Iraqi newspapers! Due to disinformation and language barrier, Iraq has unnecessarily suffered hardships beyond description! It's time to bring light to every Iraqi! As for the U.S. Embassy, I hope that they also get a copy of Sen. Joe Biden's article!

[Lansair]

The Kurds & their progress in the North,while the rest of Iraq is in shambles have proven if left alone and not involved in fighting amongst themselves,or with other sects real progress can be made. For the Kurds were making progress towards a democratic self rule when then they were being protected by a No Fly Zone before the war started. A confederation such as the Swiss,perhaps is the answer.

[Brujos1]

The problem with Joe Biden is that, while he may have a good idea that he has bandied about for years, it falls far short of a comprehensive Arab/Muslim area (not Middle East) strategy. As a presidential candidate and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joe Biden should be able to afford translating his statement into Arabic without any help. If he hasn't done that already, that should provide voters with a clue as to his qualifications.

[LizM]

That is a great idea - let''s start giving public diplomacy some real meaning around here!

As for the US Embassy, I am afraid they are completely beyond hope. I mean, it is the biggest US embassy in the world, with an urgent purpose at hand, and they have done...what? What, precisely, have been their accomplishments over the last few years?

Shouldn't a political solution out of the tragic mess that is Iraq be in their bag of tricks? Otherwise, what on earth are they doing there to fill their working day?

Of course, to be fair, there is nothing happening at the State Department, either. And, considering the "leadership" over there, it is not at all surprising.

[Norge]

The largest embassy which has been built in the world is for survalence perposes. Few will ever hear much from that place as that is not their goal. Stolen assets must be protected one way or the other.

As long as the money pours in the Iraqis' will be smiling in your Americans faces. Though America has been directly responsible for the deaths and injuries of huge numbers of families of mothers fathers brothers sisters aunts uncles cousins grandparents.
Their forgivness for such cannot be bought with dollars. America does not have enough money to pay for that.

That horiffic tragedy is going to pain America.

[MoreWarDems4aDraft]

Exactly!

[Opus007]

Joe Biden is so underated by the "polls". (Who are they polling?)I don't like Hillary- she is starting to remind me of the Lieberman transformation.

[1fliteup]

Senator Biden, It is my opinion that you are one of the few clearheaded people left in D.C. I have seen you on Bill Mahr's show and I heard some good old fashioned common sense, it was refreshing. As for the "plan" Its the best thing you have done yet. We blew the crap out a country, desimated its people, profiteered from the misery we have caused. The very least we can do is try to put it together as best we can. I believe in your plan and again its good common sense, (refreshing!!!!)

[Purple Girl]

You have a definite box of talents- but you need to offer US the whole package. We ahv ebeen shown very clearly 1-2 men can not be trusted to lead a country such as ours. I'd perser the Executive branch mean more than jus tthe Pres & VP- I want an Interdisplinary team to be the power behind the Branch. You want my vote - show me the ones you'll put in key positions to resolve all the various problems that have been created or ignored.
Show me a great clean up team and I'll show you support and votes. you know why no ones interested in the primary debates- because we don't want another dictaror to get in the WH. Sir if you want to do anything for this country- PUT IMPEACHEMNT BACK ON OUR CONSTITUTIONAL TABLE!!!!!! UNTIL THAT HAPPENS THE REST IS SMOKE & MIRRORS.

[Brujos1]

Amen! Every candidate should present a team as part of the evaluation process. The problem with debates is that they are repetitive and not newsworthy. Impeachment? Too time-consuming and diversionary. Let's get on with applying pressure through the media, candidates and Congress. Our problem is organizing the majority around a unifier who will bring fundamental change to the entire process. 21st Century thinking that I've not seen much of in my lifetime.

[LizM]

I agree with you about the whole process of impeachment being too time-consuming - too ALL-consuming, really - especially at this late date.

But at the same time, and in the interests of posterity and accountablity of this administration and future administrations, I think there should be some sort of official investigation and rebuke of the crimes and misdemeanors of the Bush-CHENEY regime soon after they have left office.

I don't know whether there is any precedent for such an effort or even if it would be constitutional but I do think it is necessary.

[Donald Wolberg]

There is nothing more rational than a rational man bringing forward a rational idea. However, the world is not a rational place and Iraq, a failed state that was never a state and likely can never be a functioning state, will continue its horrid slide over the the edge to fractionalized failure. Mr. Biden is certainly correct that a sectionalized entity is the only hope for any semblance of stability, but reasonable has nothing to do do with Iraq or our diasterous encounter with that place.I suspect it is too near the end game of disruption to effect any correctives in iraq and Mr. Bush and his administration are too much involved in their own hubris to take a rational approach at this late stage. Far better for Mr. Bush to pass the Iraq conundrum along to the next administration, just a s truman dod in the case of Korea, sending that problem along to Mr. Eisenhower and Mr. Johnson's disaster in Vietnam ending up in Mr. Nixon's "in-basket." Mr. Bidem is correct, but it is simply too late.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Eminently rational, DW.

[Merg]

I have been familiar with your plan for several years and have always thought it would be the best (and frankly the only workable) solution. The biggest obstacle seems to me to be passing some kind of restraining legislation to keep the US OUR OF IRAN. If we attack Iran...Your plan goes right out the window and all bets are off. Please get something done to stop that from happening FAST!

[GenericBlogger]

Federalization is the way to go if Iraq is to be kept as one country.

However, Moqtadr el Sadr, Iran and the Sunnis who hate the Shias might still jeopardize federalization. This means we will have to keep a military force in Iraq for sometime till real peace is achieved.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

As I recall, Senator, this is NOT the first time you've blogged for this site, and while in a previous posting you at least 'mentioned' the Iraqi Hydrocarbon Law once, I've read this post several times and cannot find the word oil or mention of ANY kind of energy 'anything' ...even once.

Spending just a couple hours reading comments at this site, or if an aide did so, you'd have known how blatantly hypocritical many commenters here are likely thinks you are to dance around the OIL issue. MANY here BELIEVE the ONLY motive was to control resources, that we've become EVERYTHING Saddam was when he tried to take Kuwait's oil. Isn't it just hilarious how we helped Saddam try to take Iran's oil though, isn't it? Haha....

You can read this 'oil' type comment from thousands of commenters here EVERY DAY.

The Dems have yet to prove they have ANY higher moral ground right now than the republicants, neoCONS or the preznutz' administration.
While the democratic party plans using Iraq as it's central issue in the '08 election, ...OUR soldiers, their families and endless thousands of Iraqis with innocent children will lose life, limb and home - because waiting another year for an 'assured White House' is more important than stopping most funding NOW!

I actually think your plan's half right, Senator, but the only way to prove to the more than 70% of OUR country that 'want IRAQ ENDED' that YOU'RE NOT ALSO chasing OIL, is to include something in that plan that guarantees the Iraqi Peoples we liberated, the right they may sign oil contracts with any country(highest bidder) ...'THEY' choose. Then get ALL of OUR troops out in a quick-time double-march!

You 'then', would probably have the favorable attention of perhaps 'the' 70%, the liberals, the socially progressive and, if ANYTHING can reach them at this point, maybe ALL of the Iraqi people, ...for awhile.

But Senator, everyone KNOWS it's the oil, ...keep dancin' - and you're no longer considered 'honest' by MOST of US.


And that also likely explains the CONgressional approval ratings...

[Joeseo]

Absolutely right you are Just Truth. Thanks for emphasizing OIL. We Americans do not have the facts and will never get enough to vote or decide the issue.
I suspect Sen.Biden is in the same position. He, more than most, is knowledgeable about laws on the books that enable Aramco and our Corporate Oil folks. How the Oil money is shared by Iraqis is THE issue and already Corporate Oil is doing business actively.

It is my personal view that no split will be acceptable unless the Bin Laden Saudis portion of the Iraq oil is recended.

[LizM]

Hey you guys,

Did you know that Senator Biden has been working tirelessly 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?

Check out his senate site for more info on this and so much more! http://biden.senate.gov/

I am sure that you would find a strong ally in Senator Biden when it comes to how ending the war in Iraq and the subject of Iraq's natural resources are interconnected.

Hopefully, now that Senator Biden has taken the plunge here, he will post more often and share more of his extensive knowledge and understanding
of these issues and many more.

[bethinCary]

Thanks Sen Biden for your focus and passion about trying to solve the bloodshed in Iraq and end the war.
I am glad all three parties are beginning to see the benefits of Federalism. They have as one country forced to integrate-been at war for many years before GW ever decided to invade and occupy.
Hopefully this will be an option agreeabls to all.
Don't give up. I believe in you Sen Biden!
Thanks again.