President Bush meets with Sunni Muslim Sheik Sattar Abu Reesha,

who fought al-Qaeda in Anbar province, during a visit there on Sept.

3, 2007. Abu Reesha was gunned down a few weeks later. Is the

U.S. now planning to 'throw the Awakening Councils under the bus'

- to use a currently popular phrase?

Azzaman, Iraq

Days of the Awakening Councils are Numbered

"There are sure signs that the 'Awakening' project will be abandoned and its participants left to an unknown fate. All parties stand in a line waiting for the fruits - except for the Awakening Councils, who because of their ignorance of the political game are confronted with the wrongdoing of their actions. Their unavoidable fate is the same as any group or movement that emerges out of a state of emergency."

By Fateh Abdulsalam

Translated By Jenny Oliver and Nicolas Dagher

August 26, 2008

Iraq - Azzaman - Original Article (Arabic)

The security agreement between the Iraqi government and the American administration is moving toward completion. The experts have succeeded in creating a draft version of the agreement and it now awaits ratification. Sooner or later, since the two sides are united in their desire to complete the deal, this formality will be accomplished. The agreement on the horizon benefits the forces that ignited the sectarian war in Iraq, in exchange for putting an end to patriotic maneuvering [the abuse of patriotism for political gain]. If there isn't a deal, there will be an inevitable change in the way the Americans deal with Iraqi internal affairs.

The question that urgently requires an answer is this: What prevents a deal that appears to be advantageous for achieving the objectives of both sides [Iraqis and Americans]? There are sure signs that the “Awakening” project will be abandoned and its participants left to an unknown fate. After all the animosity that has occurred, these people can't return to pre-Awakening days, nor will they be able to become effective political players, particularly because unlike the militias that work and operate in and around the government, they have no foreign support. They are the subjects of a deal being made to satisfy those in power. 

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

The old game is over and the demands of a new game have begun: to gather the ultimate fruits or lose everything. All parties stand in a line waiting for the fruits - except for the Awakening Councils, who because of their ignorance of the political game are confronted with the wrongdoing of their actions. Their unavoidable fate is the same as any group or movement that emerges out of a state of emergency.

The security agreement will ultimately be signed. Nothing will prevent that. Only limited comments and changes will be permitted, intended to further the winnings of those in power and settle some secondary issues. Therefore, there is little to be gained by listening to statements made by the government “coalition” for or against the security agreement - which is certainly more necessary for them than for the Americans.

Now all is becoming clear.

CLICK HERE FOR ARABIC VERSION

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US August 31, 10:56pm]