Washington: US has already finalised a blueprint for post-war Iraq envisaging
installation of a representative government, setting up of commissions to draft a
new Constitution and re-establish a judicial system.
Seeking to nip in the bud any hopes nursed by Iraqi Opposition to ride on the
American onslaught and make backdoor attempts to assume power, the plan disallows
them to form a provisional regime and accords them merely a "consultative status".
"US will organise a government for Iraq after US control is relaxed or withdrawn. It
will not be based on US governing system, but a representative government. In
addition to a consultative council, an Iraqi commission would be formed to re-
establish a judicial system. An additional one to write a new Constitution," US
officials said.
Under the blueprint finalised last week, they said Bush administration's rule over
Post-war Iraq might last up to five years, considering the crucial responsibility of
overseeing relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding of the country.
Firmly opposing any attempts to form an interim government by the Opposition, the
officials said, "Any move to declare a provisional Iraqi government would result in
a formal break in the US-Iraq relationship."
"The US is also determined to keep out any influence by Iran over Shiites, Turkey
over Turkmen and Saudis over Sunnis, they said.
General Tommy Franks, the commander-in-chief of the US Central Command, who will be
in charge of the war against Iraq, is to maintain military control as long as
American troops are in Iraq.
"Once security is established and weapons of mass destruction are located and
disabled, a US administrator will run the civilian government and direct
reconstruction and humanitarian aid," the officials said.
In the early days of military action, US forces following behind those in combat
would distribute food and other relief items and begin needed reconstruction.
Iraqi government officials would be subject to "de-Baathification", a reference to
Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath Party, under a programme that borrows from the "de-
Nazification" programme established in Germany after the defeat of Hitler in World
War II, the officials said.
The goal, they said, would be to make sure Iraqi people "immediately" consider
themselves better off than they were the day before war, and attribute their
improved circumstances directly to the United States.
PTI
