Politics & Policies: Flak vest diplomacy

By Claude Salhani
UPI International Editor

Published 5/17/2005 9:47 AM

AMMAN, Jordan, May 17 (UPI) -- Photographs of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, wearing body armor and a combat helmet during a surprise visit to Iraq, appeared on the front pages of many of the world's newspapers this past weekend. While Rice had previously visited Iraq, this was her first visit in her capacity as secretary of State.

This is not exactly gunboat diplomacy, but who really needs gunboats when you have 140,000 armed troops backed up by attack helicopters, thousands of tanks and armored vehicles, the world's most powerful air force on call, and, yes, plenty of gunboats too, floating in the nearby Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

Having muscle available helps back up your argument when trying to make a point in politics. The question is what is the argument? What would make risking the life of the secretary of State, sending her into a war zone, with or without Kevlar flak vest and helmet?

The answer is to push the Iraqis into decision-making. To convince new Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari to speed up the formation of a working government, and to persuade the country's Sunnis they need to participate more actively in the shaping of the new Iraq. All in all, a process that is taking far too long, much to the displeasure of Washington.

"Sunnis must be represented in this constitutional process because this has to be an Iraq that that works for all Iraqis," Rice said. "That's the only way that everyone is going to see the political path as a way to a better future."

Meanwhile, the insurgency is stepping up efforts to destabilize the country, becoming more active and often, more daring. It has been increasing attacks against the United States and Iraqis, too. The number of attacks has reached a staggering 70 per day, up from about 40-50.

"We are fighting a very tough set of terrorists, who are, it seems, determined to stop the progress of the Iraqi people," Rice said.

The Bush administration would like to see Iraqis make more progress and take control of their own destiny, allowing in turn, U.S. forces to take a backseat in the day-to-day running of security matters in Iraq. A lower U.S. profile also means fewer U.S. casualties. And a stronger Iraqi central government could mean U.S. troops returning home sooner.

But none of this is likely to occur so long as the government in Baghdad remains weak, which it will as long as it does not get Sunni participation, and, incomplete with key positions, such as the minister of Defense, staying vacant.

Some Sunni leaders have indicated, however, their interest in participating in the new government and in drafting the constitution.

Iraqi politicians though appear to be taking their time. Washington is cognizant of the time factor, which could explain why the administration would take the risk of dispatching the secretary of State to the region.

What can Rice accomplish with her Kevlar flak vest diplomacy -- besides good public relations? Well, quite a bit actually.

For one, her visit to the field sends a clear and strong message to the Iraqis that the Bush administration remains committed to seeing security and stability established in Iraq. With its poor track record in maintaining focus in foreign policy issues, the United States can ill-afford to be seen reneging on earlier commitments it made in the Middle East.

Pacifying Iraq is taking far longer than the planners of the war initially intended. With three years left before George W. Bush leaves the White House, time for this administration to leave a positive legacy is beginning to run at a premium. If the insurgency continues along its current pace and if political bickering maintains its current course -- and nothing leads us to believe it should change anytime in the near future -- it could take more than three more years to settle Iraq. History is there to remind us that nothing in the Middle East ever moves at a Western pace.

At this point President Bush needs another major victory in Iraq, such as the capture or elimination of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the elusive terror master of Jordanian origin, who is believed to be responsible for much of the killing, mayhem and terror that has been taking place in Iraq.

Zarqawi's capture or death would demoralize the resistance while at the same time give the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq a much-needed boost, and help bring the Sunnis to the negotiating table.

There were hopes the recent U.S. offensive spearheaded by Marines against insurgents along the Syrian border would enable U.S. forces in Iraq to track down Zarqawi. In fact, one source believed the United States had managed to capture or wound him, and reported that U.S. officials had asked neighboring Jordan for blood and DNA samples.

But that was another false lead in what is turning out to be a long struggle against an elusive enemy.

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(Comments may be sent to Claude@upi.com.)
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