Observers believe Allawi got US blessing, along with Iraqis mistrust

BAGHDAD, August 15 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The Iraqi interim government of Iyad Allawi is seen as the biggest loser of the fierce fighting raging, for over ten days now, in the holy city of Najaf between US-led forces and Iraqi Mehdi Army militia, loyal to firebrand Shiite scholar Moqtada Al-Sadr, according to political analysts and observers.

"That government has already lost the trust of Iraqi citizens after it put aside political dialogue and resorted to military force to put away its political opponents," Iraqi political analyst, Salman Al-Jimeili, was quoted by London-based Al-Quds Press news agency, as saying Sunday, August, 15.

He further believed "the excessive use of force in Najaf will never put an end to a big political wing like that of Sadr", adding "just the opposite is more likely to happen."

"This uncalculated and uncalled for bloodshed in Najaf will draw more supporters around Sadr and further add to the losses of Allawi."

The fierce fighting in Najaf erupted again Sunday, coinciding with the opening of the long-delayed Iraqi national conference, forcing a large group of participants to quit, only half an hour after it started.

Sadr aides blamed Allawi's government for the failure of peace talks in Najaf Saturday, as Sadr himself called on the US-installed government to leave"upon the desire of the Iraqi people", as he put it.

Loss Of "Success Tips"

Sadr gains more popularity in Iraq

Analysts further predicted the failure of the national conference, insisting the Allawi government has robbed it of any chance of success by further widening the gaps among the ranks of Iraqi diverse powers.

"The battle against Sadr has raised several question marks around the expected role of the government. By trying to eradicate its political opponents by force, the interim government is taking a very similar course to that taken by (ousted Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein," Iraqi analyst, Ashraf Al-Zubaidi, told Al-Quds Press.

"Previous governments and those to come fail when they resort to arms to settle political disputes. Allawi's government is no exception. Unless they put force aside and talk, they stand no chance of survival."

Observers further believe that abandoning the logic of reason for the sake of military solutions has killed "any glimpse of hope Iraqis might have pinned on this government to put an end to violence and instability", gripping Iraq since the US-led occupation in April, 2003.

They further warned that if Sadr was to be killed, a revolution by his supporters might turn the table over the head of key players in Iraq and cause an unpredictable change of course.

Sovereignty Contested

Another key factor observers believe added to others in gripping Allawi government of any claims it was working away from the dictates of the Americans, is the use of US-led forces against Iraqis, especially, in Najaf.

"Using occupation forces against Iraqis completely refuted any claims of sovereignty Allawi has been trying to market," analysts said, adding "using military force in Najaf was a grave strategic mistake that sent resentment of Iraqis against the interim government soaring."

Such a mistake, they opined, makes any further military steps by the government likely to be faced by adamant rejection and possible armed resistance across Iraq .

The sound of bullets, tank shells and air raids that overwhelmed the Iraqi scene during the previous couple of weeks came as a death certificate for the so-called national conference before it even kicked off, they charged.

Observers concerned with the Iraqi developments told Al-Quds Press that the Allawi government may have "succeeded brilliantly in gaining the blessing of the US administration, but that government has also brilliantly failed in convincing the Iraqi citizens that it could be a true Iraqi government".

"During the regime of Saddam Hussein, only two or three ministers could speak fluent English. Now, all ministers speak fluent English, but their Arabic is remarkably flowed," an Iraqi who used to attend press conferences of Iraqi Ministers told Al-Quds Press.