Showing posts with label Baghdad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baghdad. Show all posts

Friday, August 10, 2007

The UN Returns To Iraq ... Maybe Not

The United Nations Security Council voted today to expand its' role in Iraq. The UN had pulled most of their personnel out of Iraq in October of 2003, after two bombings of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad killed ton UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 others. The UN allowed 35 staffers to return in August of 2004, but the numbers remain small because of security concerns.

The role that the UN will play is in promoting talks among ethnic and religious rivals and winning support from Iraq's neighbors. The UN is tasked with promoting political talks among Iraqis and a regional dialogue on issues such as border security, energy and refugees. This is a role that the UN is actually well equipped to play. The UN is seen by most of the world as a neutral entity and at the very least will be given the chance to present its' case. The resolution expands the UN's involvement in Iraq in three ways:

  • Providing assistance and expertise to the Iraqi people and government on domestic reconciliation leading to a national compact.
  • Promoting regional understanding that promotes Iraqi reconciliation.
  • Marshaling resources to help Iraqis affected by the humanitarian crisis.

Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynne Pascoe stated that UN staff in Iraq will be raised to 95 by October ... Just a couple hours later, the UN Staff Council called on the Secretary-General to pull all UN personnel out of Iraq until security improves.

Talk about mixed signals.


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Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Remember History ... Or Be Doomed To Repeat It


I always bristle at comparisons between the United States and Ancient Rome, after all, we all know what happened to Rome. Unfortunately, the United States is once again emulating that great Empire. I don’t know how much everyone is aware of the use of mercenaries in the Iraqi War, but it is impressive.

There are thousands of private “security contractors” currently keeping the peace in Iraq. Most of these are former US and UK military, but with a smattering of South Africans and even Gurkhas. In fact, mercenaries are fast becoming South Africa’s biggest export.

Now, private security companies are starting to recruit mercs out of Latin America. Peruvians guard the perimeter of a US installation in Basra, Chileans protect the Green Zone in Baghdad and Hondurans provide security at the terminals in Baghdad International Airport. Salvadorians and Ecuadorians have also provided mercenary services. These security companies are going after Latin American recruits hard. Where a US mercenary commands a $10000.00 to $15000.00 monthly salary, Latin Americans are paid from $1000.00 to $1500.00.

Now, back to Rome … towards the end of the Roman Empire, the Roman Empire was comprised of a large majority of Barbarian mercenaries. Flavius Orestes took advantage of this by turning the mercenaries against Rome and taking over the Western Roman Empire in 475 AD.

Let us hope there is no Flavius Orestes lurking in the shadows of the US Government … has any one seen Dick Cheney recently?

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