That’s right, Bush dispatched the two R’s to make an unexpected visit to the new Iraqi government. On the theory, I suppose, that they’ll generate better news stories over there than the ones they’re generating over here:
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unscheduled visit to Baghdad on Wednesday just after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld went to Baghdad in a show of support for Iraq’s new leadership.
Rice arrived on a military plane from Turkey, breaking off from a tour of several European countries.
“The turning point is that Iraq now has its first permanent government of national unity and it gives Iraq a very real chance to deal with the obviously very vexing problems it has faced,” Rice told reporters on board her plane, which arrived around midday in Baghdad.
Ah yes, another turning point. I can’t really think of a good reason for them to to do this other than to hype this new “turning point” in Iraq for another round of endless regurgitation by the usual suspects on the American cable news shows. I suppose there may be other reasons, but frankly this strikes me as a publicity stunt performed in the hopes of raising Bush’s rapidly declining poll numbers back in the USSA.
Still, follow me below the fold for further speculation on why Rice and Rumsfeld may be making this special pilgrimage to Baghdad now . . .
Caveat: Everything hereafter is pure speculation. Whatever the purpose of Rice and Rumsfeld’s visit (and generating positive media spin for Bush back home may be the only real reason) I doubt we will know what it is until several months down the road. With that qualification firmly in mind, let’s take a look at possible reasons for the Rice/Rummy tag team action, shall we?
Reason No. 1: To build support for the Iraqi new regime.
I suppose, in the fevered dreams of the neocons, sending the US Secretary of State and Defense Secretary to engage in high level talks with the new Iraqi government leaders might be seen as a way to generate popular support among the Iraqi populace for their newly formed government. I don’t believe that it can have any positive effect (probably quite the opposite), but I can see how some in Washington might think it would.
Reason No. 2: To pressure the new Shi’ite Prime Minister to crack down on the militias.
Obviously they weren’t getting anywhere with Jaafari and President Jalabani in this regard before now, so maybe they think a show of force (and Rice and Rummy in the same room would sure as hell scare me) by 2 of the administration’s heavyweights will provide sufficient pressure on the new Prime Minister, Jawad al-Maliki, to shut down the torture chambers and death squads being run out of Iraq’s Interior Ministry and (reputedly) elements of the Iraqi police and armed forces.
The trouble here is that al-Maliki’s position in the Shi’ite political alliance is shaky at best. He can’t afford as his first official act to clamp down on the militias. That would be attacking the power bases of whatever modest support he may have among the varous Shi’a factions. And, for better or worse power among the Shi’ites is in the hands of the militias and those who command them, not the politicians. Rice and Rumsfeld can jabber all they want, but it’s unlikely to change this basic fact.
Reason No. 3: To scare off Prime Minister al-Maliki from getting too chummy with Iran.
Iran’s President has already canceled possible talks with the US over the Iraq situation, claiming that in light of the new government, such discussions with the US are unnecessary. He’s also begun a charm campaign directed at the new Iraqi leaders:
Tehran, April 25 (ISNA)-Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a telephone conversation with Iraq’s Prime Minister insured that the Iranian nation as before would support the Iraqi government and nation.
President Ahmadinejad also hoped that the establishment of the people government would lead to the complete and powerful organization of a people’s ruling system and the leave of occupying forces.
The last think Bush wants at this juncture is closer ties between Iraq and Iran, in light of his own efforts to demonize the Iranians in order to set the stage for a potential military conflict. Sending Rice and Rumsfeld may be simply Bush’s way of communicating to Prime Minister al-Maliki who holds the real power in Iraq, a power that had better not be crossed by any delusions of sovereignty on the part of the Iraqi government.
Well, those are my three possible reasons for this trip (beyond being merely a public relations gambit to influence American public opinion, that is). What are yours?
