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Inside Politics

Iraqi politicians assert themselves in new government

U.S. favorites passed over

By Bill Schneider
CNN Political Unit

Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar
Interim Iraqi President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar
VIDEO
The people selected to Iraq's new interim government.
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Iraq
Lakhdar Brahimi

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Politicians taking control of the government? Is that an outrage? No, it's democracy. And it's the political Play of the Week.

As of June 30, Iraq will have a new government. This past week, some key positions were announced.

Who chose the new government of Iraq?

"I had no role in picking, zero," said President Bush Tuesday.

Then who did?

"It was Mr. Brahimi's selections," Bush said.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. envoy, was supposed to control the process and give it international legitimacy.

Let's ask him.

"(Paul) Bremer is the dictator of Iraq. He has the money," Brahimi said of the U.S. civilian administrator. "He has the signature. Nothing happens without his agreement in this country."

Brahimi wanted a transitional Iraqi government run by technocrats to move the country to elections in January -- not to build a base of power.

But the U.N. envoy had to contend with politicians, namely, the Iraqi Governing Council. It turns out, these 24 quarrelsome warlords, business people and former exiles appointed by the United States had a thirst for power.

Last week, Brahimi offered the post of interim prime minister to Hassain Shahristani, a nuclear scientist once imprisoned by Saddam Hussein.

But the Governing Council preferred one of its own, Iyad Allawi, who had a stronger political base and CIA connections. Bowing to pressure, Shahristani turned the post down.

Brahimi wanted to appoint Adnan Pachachi, another U.S. favorite, to be the new president of Iraq. But the Governing Council once again balked.

"There were some elements in the Iraqi political class who were against me," Pachachi said.

Bowing to pressure, Pachachi turned the post down. Once again, the Governing Council got its man -- Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar, a powerful and politically skillful sheikh. This time, it was not the U.S. favorite.

"I think the choice of America was Adnan Pachachi, and they went against their choice and selected Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar. So I don't think it's really a puppet government," said Rubar Sandi, an Iraqi-American businessman.

The bottom line: Iraqi politicians took control of this process.

"The Iraqi Governing Council was appointed by the U.S. and very much wanted to extend its power and influence," said scholar Dr. Laith Kubba.

The Iraqi Governing Council's been dissolved. But the new government looks a lot like the old council. Now it has to establish popular support. And ultimately face the voters.

That's real democracy.


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