The Iraqi 'Nation' By ROBERT MCFARLANE

Got this From darock and I emailed MR. Mcfarlane. Also to floow is his responces. I hope this helps anyone here at Rc that wants to contribute in a different way.

The Iraqi 'Nation'
By ROBERT MCFARLANE
June 27, 2007; Page A12
One reason put forward for why we ought not continue the fight in Iraq is that the Iraqis themselves aren't doing their part to unite their country against the insurgency. It's wrong.
Two weeks ago, I participated in a remarkable three-day gathering of more than 70 Iraqi clerics. It was held in Baghdad, was organized by Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest in Iraq, and had one aim: Give Iraqi religious leaders a forum to listen to and engage one another. It was a phenomenal success.
The conference was encouraging from the outset because it attracted some of the top clerics in the country. They included close advisors to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the senior Shiite prelate in Iraq; Moqtada Al Sadr, the firebrand leader of the Mahdi militia; and equivalent Sunni and Kurdish figures. They arrived clearly interested in fostering reconciliation among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, and in the process reducing violence, disarming the militias and enacting into law a framework for a fair distribution of political and economic power. Many of the participants are members of the parliament.
Think about the meaning of what's described in the preceding paragraph. How often have you asked yourself over the past four years as violence has unfolded in Iraq, "Is it possible that the hatred and bitterness on display each day will ever evolve into reconciliation?" After attending this conference, I believe the answer is yes.
First, it is important to note that in Iraq the term "cleric" carries a different meaning than in the West. In Islam, one's personal obligation is to devote himself to improving the well-being of his political and economic setting. A concept known as jihad acknowledges for some sects the legitimacy of violence. Indeed, many of the participants at the conference have a violent history. So much the better, because it is only through getting those at the center of the conflict to engage with their adversaries that we will find the basis for a modus vivendi. And so it turned out at this conference.
The opening salvos from each of the three sects involved rhetorical statements of grievance -- each against the others. What was remarkable, however, was that the statements turned out to be pro forma and by the afternoon of the first day these very powerful figures began to listen to one another. What transpired was fascinating. Shiite participants acknowledged that their followers had intermarried with Sunnis for generations -- and vice versa -- and while all deplored the brutality of Saddam's regime no one counted it as legitimating a blood feud. The common theme was one of anger at the violence in Iraq and its primary driver, al Qaeda. But this rage came tempered by a commitment to put their country back together. Throughout the conference, they called it their "nation."
By the second day they began to focus on setting benchmarks to measure each other's commitment to what was being said. Each of the participants, men and women of great influence -- the elite of Iraq -- pledged to return to their provinces and seek to reduce violence, attempt to disarm the militias and (for those members of the parliament) to forge a compromise and pass critical legislation including the pending oil law -- a benchmark measure of the willingness of Shiites and Kurds to acknowledge the centrality of a secure economic future for Sunnis.
It is important to note that this conference was strongly supported by American Ambassador Ryan Crocker as well as by Gen. David Petraeus, commander of coalition forces in Iraq. Neither sought to intervene nor to drive the conference toward any particular conclusion. Both clearly understood, however, that broad-based political reconciliation is the linchpin of any hope for lasting stability in Iraq.
In Washington, Mr. White's effort to nurture the process of reconciliation has been quietly supported by the Defense Department. Some would dismiss such support as nothing but self-interest on the part of the Pentagon. But I believe there is more to it than that. After four very difficult and counterproductive years in Iraq, we now have leaders in place in Baghdad who understand the nature of this conflict. Ambassador Crocker and Gen. Petraeus intuitively know that a political accommodation acceptable to all is only stable foundation for peace in Iraq. And they also understand that such a foundation can only be laid by Iraqis.
On the last day of the conference the delegates pledged to reconvene as soon as possible. A final settlement will likely take some time. But current plans call for a second meeting to be held in Cairo in August. The irony of this possibly historic work is that it is operating on a shoestring. Mr. White has organized a nonprofit in the U.S. and is now trying to raise the fairly modest sums needed to keep this trialogue going. If you'd like to know more about his efforts, please send me a note.
Mr. McFarlane, a national security adviser for President Ronald Reagan, can be reached via email at [email protected].

The Iraqi 'Nation' - WSJ.com

Mr. McFarlane, a national security adviser for President Ronald Reagan, can be reached via email at [email protected].

SOMEBODY EMAIL THE DUDE!!!

So I did this morning. Responces to follow with emails, then I will unlock the thread for comments.

Is this Good Enough I ask the poster above..

Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:57:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tommy " <XXXXXXXXXXX@XXXXXXXXX> Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Sunnis,Shiites, and Kurds Reconciliation Efforts.
To: [email protected]


Mr. McFarlane,

I just would like to commend you on behalf of a small group across the US, on your efforts for a stable foundation for Iraqis. Yes, we are Small Investors, but realise the "Stability and Security" of Iraq for Iraqi's is the most Important thing.

We would like to be informed of the results of the second meeting to be held in Cairo in August, and the final settlement in time. And to atleast show the Iraqis, all of them that we are Praying Daily for their success, together. Wanted to Point out this statement below that was made of the conference review letter below:,

{Throughout the conference, they called it their "nation."
By the second day they began to focus on setting benchmarks to measure each other's commitment to what was being said. Each of the participants, men and women of great influence -- the elite of Iraq -- pledged to return to their provinces and seek to reduce violence, attempt to disarm the militias and (for those members of the parliament) to forge a compromise and pass critical legislation including the pending oil law -- a benchmark measure of the willingness of Shiites and Kurds to acknowledge the centrality of a secure economic future for Sunnis.}

Just wanted to say in our own Democratic Country (Nation), that we all dont get along either, but we all TRY. The Human Heart (Commitment) is the biggest factor, no matter where we live. We are all Brother and Sisters in Christ.

Also: Don't know what all we can contribute in the efforts below, but we do have a Internet Base Opritunity to help. Please advise a donation destination:

(The irony of this possibly historic work is that it is operating on a shoestring. Mr. White has organized a nonprofit in the U.S. and is now trying to raise the fairly modest sums needed to keep this trialogue going. If you'd like to know more about his efforts, please send me a note.)

Thanks Again for your efforts on behalf of all Iraqis,
US. American

Ok here is the response already from the office of Mr.McFarlane

"Robert McFarlane" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "'Tommy '" <XXXXXXXXXXX@XXXXXXXXXXXX>
Subject: RE: Sunnis,Shiites, and Kurds Reconciliation Efforts.
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:23:14 -0400
Dear Mr. Styles,

Thanks for your interest.

We are facing a window of challenge (not that the past four years haven't presneted their own challenges). My point is that now, after we have learned how to wage this conflict and the Iraqi leadership (to the tribal level) have understood what must be done to bring down Al Qaeda) it may still not be enough to withstand two things: First the huge number of adolescent recruits Al Qaeda has in the wings willing to blow themselves up -- sufficient to generate carnage such as is reported from Baghdad today -- for a long time; and Second the short attention span of the US Congress.

A key factor will be the combined Sunni and Shia reaction to this Al Qaeda threat -- will they close ranks and provide the intelligence needed to roll Al Qaeda up for good; or not?

I enclose descrïptive material on Canon White's work and will keep you informed on our progress.

Best regards,

Bud

Robert C. McFarlane
Chairman
McFarlane Associates Inc.
2300 Clarendon Blvd (Suite 306)
Arlington, VA 22201Tel: 703 522 8211Fax: 703 243 9382

2 Attachments to follow. I will open them up and copy and paste them here next.

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Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME)?

We are a non profit organization that promotes and develops conflict resolution and reconciliation in the Middle East, by working with the top religious and political leaders from the Middle East, the United States, and Europe and by providing humanitarian relief and economic rejuvenation in areas of conflict and poverty.

How long have you been working in the Middle East?

We have staff with over 20 years of experience in the Middle East formerly working under various institutions including the International Centre for Reconciliation based out of Coventry Cathedral.

What is your goal in Israel and Palestine?

We are involved in various political initiatives and economic projects across the region. In particular, the foundation works towards the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by servicing and supporting the Alexandria Process, which, following the signing of the Alexandria Declaration by the Religious Leaders in the Holy Land in January 2002, has become the religious track of the Middle East Peace Process.

In addition to engaging religious leaders in a political solution to the conflict, we also help on a more basic level. We seek to connect and educate the West about the suffering caused by the conflict while simultaneously easing the suffering of the people by initiating economic rejuvenation and relief projects in various areas in Gaza and the Bethlehem district in the West Bank.

And what do you do in Iraq?

We facilitate the work of reconciliation between Sunni and Shia and the various religious minorities in Iraq, which was rooted in the results of the 2004 Baghdad Religious Accord, in order to initiate and sustain regular dialogue between key Sunni and Shia religious leaders in Iraq and help them work together for peace.

As Vicar of Baghdad, Andrew White and the FRRME provide spiritual comfort and guidance for troops in the International Zone and St. George’s Church, Baghdad – an all Iraqi congregation of over 900 people. The needs of St. George’s are extensive and we provide the support needed to protect and run the church.

Isn’t diplomacy the job of the government leaders?

These leaders lean on us for insights and relationships because of our credibility and vast experience in the region which often predates their own involvement. Further, we pioneer grass-roots projects that reduce violence and incitement to violence, as well as supporting the process of social and economic regeneration with engagement with religious, political and tribal leaders.

And you do relief work as well?

We recognize that impoverished societies often become places for religious incitement and hatred. In addition, relief work gives added credibility to our role in diplomacy, while meeting the desperate needs of the people of war-torn regions. Working in partnership with local community leadership we seek to prevent the growth of religious fundamentalism while connecting the international community with local needs to provide a pathway for economic rejuvenation and restoration of livelihoods destroyed by conflict.

Specifically, what are your diplomatic and relief initiatives and what do they cost?

The attached budget summarizes each of these projects which include: (1) FRRME Diplomatic Work $741,000; Israel-Palestine and Iraq Relief, $866,000; and Iraqi Inter Religious Congress $1,295,000; for a total need of $2,902,000.

Shouldn’t the US, UK, or Iraq pay for some of this?

The British Government did fund all of our work in Iraq after the war for 18 months, this was the agreement and then it stopped. Likewise they did provide initial funding for the Israel work but it stopped at the time they said it would stop. The United States Institute of Peace has been supporting reconciliation work in Gaza for the past 12 months but the needs continue to be greater than the funding provided. The US Department of Defense has recently taken interest in our reconciliation work in Iraq and funded an initial gathering of religious leaders in Baghdad.

Will you get any more government funding?

The initial funding for the Iraqi Inter Religious Congress has been paid by the US Department of Defense. Follow up funding is being provided by the US Department of Defense for immediate post-conference work but for a continuation of this initiative the US Government has expressed interest but no funds have been committed.

Isn’t Canon Andrew White the Special Envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury?

For eight years he was the Special Envoy to the Middle East for the Church but left the role because his term as holder of the office had reached its maximum limit. Each person holds the position for 5 years, and Andrew was asked to stay for an additional three years. To this day, however, no one with this level of Middle East relationships has been found to assume the position, and so it remains vacant.

Why doesn’t the Archbishop pay for your work?

The Special Envoy has always raised his own support, so leaving the position with the Church did not change the funding needs for Canon Andrew White’s work.

Is Special Envoy the same position that was held by Terry Waite?

Yes, he was in the same role during the 1980s, to negotiate freedom of the hostages in Iran and Libya. He was kidnapped in Beirut in 1987 and held as a hostage himself for five years, most of it in solitary confinement.

Are Canon Andrew White and your staff in the same danger?

Yes, this work is extremely dangerous and we have counted the risks. Especially in Baghdad, the cost of private security is a significant portion of our budget. We do, however, believe we must be as radical in the pursuit of peace as others are in waging war and that inevitably entails an element of risk.

With the risks to all, will church and government leaders work for peace?

Continuing instability can erode the trust between different communities, which in turn can undermine the relationships between the more moderate voices. In this environment extremist movements grow rapidly, and it becomes more dangerous for people to be seen to be involved with interfaith activity. This is especially true in Iraq, where assassination and kidnappings are a further deterrent to people without special protection participating in interfaith meetings. The FRRME is unique in that it has formed long-standing trust and relationships in which these people will risk the danger to meet if the funding and support is found.

Why will the fighting factions listen to you?

There is a clear need for initiatives that build confidence between communities in order to develop some level of stability, and a role for highly skilled and dedicated foreign partners who have high credibility and trust with all parties within the region. Their independence from the conflict is crucial, as is the need to show unbiased treatment of the various groups. These intermediaries are by their very nature extremely rare.

How do you do what you do?

We take a two-pronged approach to peace making. First, engagement with key religious leaders will be ongoing in order to address critical questions that affect not only the region, but growing global religious tensions. Second, critically overlooked conditions on the ground will be brought to the international community’s attention. This will include partnering with local organizations which have a proven track record of reconciliation in their community.

Why do they look to Cannon White for leadership?

Inter-religious engagement is led by Canon Andrew White who has a wide array of experience in conflict mediation in the Middle East. He has been able to gain trust of key religious leaders on both sides in various conflict areas. In places of religious tension a mediator becomes an indispensable asset. When enemies have cut off all interaction with each other, the role of the intermediary becomes the only possible path forward.

Can’t you do this from a distance so it is not so dangerous?

In conflict areas of the Middle East, a presence on the ground is a necessary component to engagement at a top level. We have staff on the ground in various locations across the Middle East in order to receive local insight, perspective and, most vitally, first-hand knowledge of local tensions and needs. In order to prevent the growth of religious fundamentalist influence the FRRME seeks to function as a mediating body between local needs and international religious communities in order to provide a way for outsiders to show solidarity for regions that are socially and economically in risk of crisis.

Who are your partners?

Our major international partners include the Foreign Commonwealth Office of the British Government, the US Department of State, the US Department of Defense, the United States Institute of Peace, the World Economic Forum, and the Clinton Global Initiative. We further partner with top peace and reconciliation centres around the world including Mosaica and the Adam Centre in Israel, the Adam Centre in Gaza, the Iraqi Institute of Peace in Baghdad, the Tanenbaum Center in New York, and many other organizations.

What is the solution to bring about peace?

It is not in the gift of facilitators – as independent agents - to determine or push for a particular solution to a problem, as this would seriously undermine their integrity and credibility, and thus limit their effectiveness in the region. The FRRME recognizes that, due to the nature of the Middle East, a holistic approach incorporating political and religious elements is essential for lasting peace. Building lasting relationships is the key to building a foundation for action. Therefore, if part of the problem is religion, there also must lay the solution.

What are your measures of success?

Given the ongoing nature of this process, it is difficult to measure the immediate short-term results of this work. Reconciliation is a long-term exercise, which can only be achieved through the courageous and costly perseverance of all those involved. The role of the Reconciler is to create an environment in which all sides feel both able and willing to participate. The ultimate goal of establishing lasting peace settlements can therefore only ever be obtained with this foundation stone securely in place.

What are your criteria to measure progress as you move forward?

Results will not be quickly achieved nor easily measured. However, it is possible to use a number of criteria to judge whether the work is making progress and positively impacting the region:

Do all parties respond positively to a request from the facilitator to meet?
Is there an agreed method or set ways of working to which all are committed?
Is there a common agenda that sets out the work plan of the group that is being formed?
Is there a specific mechanism that exists to deal with crises requiring conflict resolution?
Does the group focus on issues that it alone can uniquely deal with?
Does the work of the group enable people to meet who would not normally meet?
Do their corresponding communities know about the work of the group?
What happens if you can’t raise the money you need?

The cost of failure is beyond comprehension because these conflicts impact the future of the entire world. Thus, we must persevere with this work that lives out the grace and love of Jesus.

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The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) is a private non-profit organization organized and approved under Section 501(c)3 of the US Code

Mailing Address:

PO Box 470902

Charlotte, NC 28247 USA

Bank Details:

First Charter

Carmel Road Financial Center

6342 Carmel Road

Charlotte, NC 28226

Acct: 170305114

Routing Number: 053100737

ADA/SWIFT CODE: 053100737

Thread will be unlocked and comments can come now. I am just trying to connect us all in anyway possible for our Investment. Take this as you wish or just read it and leave it. It is for whoever how ever they deciede to use it. :wink:

Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:51:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tommy" <XXXXXXXXXXX@XXXXXXXXXX> Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: RE: Sunnis,Shiites, and Kurds Reconciliation Efforts.
To: [email protected]
Thank you Mr. Mcfarlane,

I have attached the responses to our Investment Forum, Actually 2. I hope and Pray for the Peace in Iraq. Hopfully this will get the word out for help in contributions for the upcoming event in Cairo. Thanks again for your Offices efforts.

Tommy Styles

Friends,

Below is one of Andrew's periodic reports from Baghdad.

Bud



If you are unable to view the message, please click here to view it on our website.
UPDATE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
Contact: United Kingdom Office
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1428 722 744
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: THE FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND RECONCILIATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST (FRRME):



Canon Andrew P B White

IZ Baghdad
Iraq
29th June 2007

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Baghdad . Life here is as tragic and awful as usual. Yesterday was pretty awful, everything went wrong and it was as if we were prevented from doing our work on every side.

Today has been considerably better. Due to the nature of our present work I cannot explain the details of what we are doing. Samir is here with me but none of the other staff from the UK . Today is the third anniversary of the CPA handing over to the newly formed Iraqi Government. Nobody has mentioned this anniversary, although I will not forget it as I had my 40th Birthday Party here in Baghdad the day after the hand over. Everybody thought that things would improve but they have gotten worse and worse and worse. We would have never thought then that Iraq would be like it is today. De****e this tragedy, we must not give up hope that one day things will be different.

This afternoon I met with the lay leaders of the Church. As usual it was a good meeting. Afterwards, I met with one of the families of the church with all their children. I talked to them about their holiday. I asked them if there was anything I could do. I listed various possibilities, but there was nothing. There is nothing I can do apart from going to Church. They recently had an end of year party but they were not very happy because there was no food or drink because they were waiting for more money from me. How I wish I had more money to give them. How I wish I could make their holiday have a little more joy in it. I emptied my pockets and gave all that I had. I love these people and they are suffering. Little food and water, no electricity and 50%C, but they do not complain, and only tell me when I ask.

The crisis for all Iraqis is real, but for Christians it has never been this bad. I so wish that the Church would wake up to their need. People often ask what they can do to help and the fact is all we need is money to buy food. I do not need any more teddy bears, they are very nice but they provide no help for the children. I do not need any more Bibles, we have more than enough. I do not forget my people looking at the Bibles and saying we cannot eat Bibles. I still need money for food and rent. People need help with their rent and what we can offer is very limited. There are still hundreds of Christians sleeping in the Churches because they have been made to leave their homes. Twenty-seven of our people remain kidnapped; we have no money to get them back, so they will be killed. I have paid all my own money we have no more left, we just hope and trust that G-d will provide and He does. So things remain awful but our people continue to praise G-d.

Meanwhile we continue to work hard on our Inter Religious Process. It is really difficult but there is real progress, the religious leaders are working together. Some of our key people have been killed this week. The Sunni tribal leaders were meeting to decide how to overcome Al Qaeda at the Al Mansour Hotel immediately opposite our church. An Al Qaeda suicide bomber entered the hotel and blew himself up killing six of our people.

De****e all these difficulties we are making good progress following up the recent congress. We just need to secure funding for follow-up and this needs to be long term effort.

Communication remains really difficult here due to lack of power and internet. Please please do not send any pictures, links or attachments. I really cannot open them and they risk bringing down our whole system.

Blessings

Andrew



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United States Office
PO Box 470902
Charlotte, NC 28247
United States of America
Europe Office
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United Kingdom

"Robert McFarlane" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "Robert McFarlane" <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: Blair advises against capitulation
Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:00:28 -0400


Interesting Comment by former Prime Minister Tony Blair

Bud
Excerpts by Prime Minister Tony Blair:

We are making a fundamental mistake. We think we are creating this
problem;
we are not creating it, it is being created for us. The very forces
that we
are fighting in Iraq, which are basically al-Qaeda doing the suicide
bombing, including the bombing of that shrine, deliberately to provoke
sectarian conflict, the elements of the Iranian regime who are backing
the
Muqtada al-Sadr people down in Basra, these are the elements that we
are
fighting in Afghanistan, that we are fighting everywhere, if we do not
stand
up and fight them back, and at some point in time we are going to have
to,
they are going to get stronger. What they now believe is that they can
give
us, and the politicians who are democratically elected in the West,
such a
serious problem, in terms of the destruction and carnage that they are
able
to cause, that we will lose our will and fall away.

As we began to get the country on its feet, as they started to make
preparations for democracy, then of course the people who were fighting
suddenly realised, "If you let these guys succeed here, how do we
manage to
get across our case? How can we say that the purpose of the West and
America
is to oppress the Muslim world if actually Muslims for the first time
in
Iraq and Afghanistan are getting the right to vote", it is a difficult
argument to make.

I am in a position where I do not write what is on my tombstone, other
people do. I do not know what they will do. What I do know is that if
we end
up saying that because these people are committing these acts of
terrorism
in Iraq or Afghanistan that we should not have done the removal of
Saddam or
the removal of the Taliban, then we are making a fundamental mistake
about
our own future, about security, about the values we should be defending
in
the world. We cannot be in a situation where the harder they fight us
the
less our will is to succeed. If we are not careful, we will be in that
situation.

I think we will have difficulty defeating this terrorism until we stop
buying a little way into its argument, or even quite a long way into
its
argument. I was stopped by someone the other day who said to me, "Look
at
all these people who are dying in Iraq", and I said to them, "We are
not
killing them." How can we be said to be oppressing the ordinary Muslim
on
the street when if the violence - perpetrated incidentally by other
Muslims
on Muslims - stopped we would be able to get the country on its feet,
it is
a prosperous, wealthy country and its people would prosper? My point
is, I
do not dispute that on the Arab street there is a lot hatred of the
West,
but my point is you are not going to defeat that until you challenge
it.

Friends I will send you periodic news clips on the situation which concern our reconcilation effort. The second one excerped below involves Tariq Al Hashemi, the Suni Vice President of Iraq who was a co-sponsor of the Baghdad meeting.

:Please do not feel as though you need comment or respond to these clips.

Best regards,

Bud

Iraqi Shiite Parties Agree To Try To Unite Moderates (New York Times). In a tacit admission of the troubles between Iraq ’s two largest Shiite political parties, their respective leaders signed an agreement this week to work together and back appointments to the cabinet and other posts based on professional experience rather than party allegiances, officials said. Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/wo...=1&oref=slogin



Iraqi VP seeks Egypt 's help in stabilizing Iraq (Jerusalem Post). Iraq 's Sunni Arab vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, was in Egypt Monday to seek help from the Arab region's most populous country to stabilize his strife-torn country. Link to article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...le%2FSShowFull



US diplomat expresses hope for progress in Iraq (San Diego Union Tribune). America 's No. 2 diplomat in Iraq predicted progress by fall on bringing together Iraq 's feuding factions as violence claimed more lives Wednesday… “We're in a very significant period of political turmoil. ... But we do expect Iraqis to work through these issues,” U.S. diplomat Daniel Speckhard told reporters. “My expectations are still that they'll rise to the challenge of producing some key legislation by September.

White House faces tough crowd on Iraq (Houston Chronicle). President Bush is sending his top aide on national security affairs to Capitol Hill on Thursday to confront what has become a tough crowd on the Iraq war. Link to article: White House faces tough crowd on Iraq | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Iraq strategy geared to US pullout (Los Angeles Times). U.S. commanders plan a summer of stepped-up offensives against Al Qaeda in Iraq as they tailor strategy to their expectation that Congress soon will impose a timeline for drawing down U.S. forces here. Link to article: Sign Up



JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH BRIGADIER GENERAL KEVIN BERGNER, SPOKESMAN, MULTINATIONAL FORCE IRAQ; AND DANIEL SPECKHARD, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, U.S. EMBASSY, BAGHDAD TOPIC: UPDATE ON MILITARY OPERATIONS AND THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ LOCATION: THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER, BAGHDAD, IRAQ TIME: 7:00 A.M. EDT DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 (MNF-I) “…And an emphasis in that new way forward was on a couple of key elements, including strengthening our efforts beyond the international zone, focusing on building moderates and supporting moderates at the local levels, improving the security enough so that we could buy some space for the political and reconciliation process to occur and emphasizing the importance of employment generation opportunities, to help bring young people in particular off the unemployed rolls and to give them opportunities to work and to keep them from moving in directions of terrorism or insurgency that were risking the future of Iraq…If you look at the province of Anbar and seen the political changes that have occurred there, you see many of the tribes coming together, rejecting al Qaeda and terrorism and violence and have made significant strides in changing the political dynamic locally. And that in turn has had a significant effect on the economic situation in Anbar, in terms of opening up again businesses and opportunities and employment opportunities there….And last, on the employment creation side, I wanted to highlight there that we have in our program created more than 50,000 employment opportunities since the beginning of this year and that we have passed the 100 million mark on microfinance loans in terms of the loans that have been made through those programs…what you see is a very integrated effort, with the coalition forces and the civilian side working hand in glove to both support security in the neighborhood, put in place programs and opportunities by going to local business leaders and asking them what they need, small shop owners to get their businesses back up and going, then to provide opportunities to actually provide those services through microfinance, to work with the national government and the different ministries to bring in some services to get things going again…a completely different security environment that's creating new political opportunity in Anbar as well as economic opportunities. And the job creation effort that we had there went from virtually none in April to more than 9,000 here in June, and that's because of what we talked about, which is the security situation can be an enabler for this economic and political activity.” Link to transcript: Multi-National Force - Iraq - Press Briefing, June 27



Iraq rushes to guard its mosques (Christian Science Monitor). Six of the most important Shiite and Sunni mosques and shrines have been attacked over the past month. Now, politicians are vying for the title of religious protector. Link to article: Iraq rushes to guard its mosques | csmonitor.com

To: "Tommy"
From: "Robedert McFarlane"
Subject: FW: Cairo Meeting
Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2007 12:55:28 -0400

Friends,

I posed the question to Andrew "Will the Egyptian Government accept
Shia
participation (there is a formal edict against it)?" Also what level or
participation do you expect?

The answer (below) is very encouraging.

Best regards,

Bud
-----Original Message-----
From: Canon Andrew P B White [[email protected]] On Behalf
Of
Canon Andrew P B White
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2007 12:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Cairo

Dear Bud,

The Eyptian Government is in regulat contact with us and they are
certainly
willing for Shia to go. At the moment it looks as if the delegates will
be
of a very high standard indeed.

From the Sunni Community we have:

Shekh Ahmed Al Qubasi the most senior Iraqi Sunni now living in Dubai
Shekh
Abdul Latif Humayeem leader of the Iraqi Scholars Associaltion Sheikh
Abdel
Melekh Sadi The most senior Sunni leader in Iraq


From the Shiah Community

Shekh Fateh (very close to Sistani)
Ayatollah Abu Ra Geef
Sayed Mohmed Riddah Sistanis son
Ayatollah Al Hakim (Head of SCIRI)

I am meeting with Muqtada Al Sader's most senior people this week so I
hope
one of them will come. I am also certain that either the Assyrian or
Arminian Archbishop of Baghdad will come. So it will be a very high
level
delegation.

Sheikh Fateh, Chaplain Hoyt and I had a very good meeting with General
Scott
today. He is very supportive and we shared the things I mentioned in
the
previous email. All of the above will bring somebody with them.

Blessings

Andrew

Thank you Neno, IMO this should be mandatory reading.
God's Blessings to you and all of our RC family.
Teshema/Virginia

Bad News
Friends,

Over the weekend I received word from Andrew that he was facing a serious threat from Shia extremists (most likely Moqtada al Sadr's Mahdi Army) who had labeled him an Israeli spy and promised to kill him if he didn't leave the country.

As background, in late May, prior to the Baghdad conference Andrew lost four of his team (3 security guards and a staff assistant) who were kidnapped while Andrew was visiting the Iraqi Minister of Finance. The kidnappers were disguised as local police. Since then Andrew has been working with US, British and Iraqi security services to try to find the kidnapped personnel, thus far without success.

I suspect that Moqtada al Sadr (who sent a representative to the Baghdad conference) concluded that Andrew had assembled a very powerful core constituency who were seriously interested in reconciliation but that he (Sadr) would be subordinated to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani (who supports Andrew's work very strongly and is the dominant Shia in Iraq) in any new division of the political portfolios (Cabinet posiitons) in Iraq.

British security in Iraq took the threat to Andrew very seriously and evacuated him to London two days ago. In addition British MI-6 considered the threat sufficiently credibly to also place Andrew's family under police protection.

Finally, however, Andrew stated firmly as he left Baghdad that he intended to carry on with planning for Cairo and expected to see the principal delegates there.

I'll keep you posted.

Bud

Robert C. McFarlane
Chairman
McFarlane Associates Inc.