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June 3, 2004
Iraq and the U.N.

Via Kevin Drum:

Asked how big a role the American administration had in forming the government and selecting the prime minister and president, Brahimi reminded reporters that American Ambassador L. Paul Bremer runs things in Iraq.

"Bremer is the dictator of Iraq," he said. "He has the money. He has the signature."

He later added: "I will not say who was my first choice, and who was not my first choice ... I will remind you that the Americans are governing this country."

Sadoun al Dulame, the head of a Baghdad research organization and polling center, said he spoke with Brahimi last week and that the diplomat was discouraged.

"He was very disappointed, very frustrated," al Dulame said. "I asked him why he didn't say that publicly (and) he said, 'I am the U.N. envoy to Iraq, how can I admit to failure?'"

source

Wow. Pretty strong words. Kinda flies in the face of what Bush said yesterday:

QUESTION: Sir, where you surprised at the way the Governing Council took command of the selection process? And are you concerned that the new President has had some criticisms of the United States?

THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't -- from my perspective, Mr. Brahimi made the decisions and brought their names to the Governing Council. As I understand it, the Governing Council simply opined about names. It was Mr. Brahimi's selections and -- Ambassador Bremer and Ambassador Blackwill were instructed by me to work with Mr. Brahimi. As we say in American sports parlance, he was the quarterback. And it seemed like a good group to me. I mean, they're diverse, as I mentioned, a number of women are now involved in the government, which is a positive step for the citizens of Iraq.

source

See, that sounds like Brahimi was completely in charge. How weird. If I didn't know better, I'd say George Bush may be playing a little fast and loose with the truth here.

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