The U.S. State Dept. continues to try to run its own foreign policy, irrespective of President Bush's policy decisions and apparently unimpeded by Sec'y of State Colin Powell. A new article includes a litany of end-arounds attempted by senior State operatives in Iraq, as if the U.S. didn't have enough to do to fight both generic Saddamite recidivists and what appears to be an organized guerrilla war. State's Arabist fascinations are costing American lives -- right now. Colin Powell should either put a stop to it or be replaced, no matter his other good qualities.
Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, is now facing underhanded attempts at undermining his agenda from State Department officials in Baghdad, with one referring to his sweeping de-Baathification policies as "fascistic," according to an informed source in Iraq. The senior administrator who made the comment, Robin Rafael, is not alone in her sentiments, as several other Foggy Bottom officials stationed in the country are trying to covertly remake Iraq as they want it, not as Bremer — or the president who sent him there — wants it.Posted by Alan at June 9, 2003 12:21 PM