IRAQ today Tales from
IRAQ today Tales from the Front: Paul Bremer talks about his time in Iraq BY KEN MARTEN With journalists’ stories and soldiers’ blogs, first-hand accounts of the events in Iraq are becoming commonplace. But rarely are such accounts provided by those as well-placed as Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, former head of the Coalition Provisional Authority. Bremer met with business leaders from the Metro area Chaldean community at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham on January 19 to discuss the state of affairs of Christians living in Iraq. The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce sponsored a luncheon with the ambassador, followed by a question-andanswer session with about 15 of its members. The ambassador, age 64, oversaw the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq until power was passed to an interim government in June 2004. He’s on tour promoting his new book, My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope, co-written with Malcolm McConnell. Bremer survived several assassination attempts in Iraq and today travels with Secret Service protection. Bremer told the Chaldean business leaders that media hasn’t focused on what he called “the plight of Christians in Iraq.” “In terms of the Christian community, it’s right to be concerned,” he said. “In the south, I know there have been attacks on some of the Christian stores and (Christian-owned) liquor manufacturers. I know Iraqi Christian women have been forced to veil themselves. The pressure’s become greater in the last year and a half, perhaps because the Muslim Shia feel more empowered from these last two elections.” But Bremer was reassuring as well. He said he’s met with Shia leaders many times for tea and is convinced they’re aware of democracy’s vital building blocks. “[The Shiites] understand the concept of minority rights,” Bremer said. “Democracy’s not just about majority rule. It’s about minority rights and the peaceful transfer of power.” The Ambassador said that beyond an elected government, true democracy depends on developing a civil society. That’s why 0 million was set aside to foster the creation of political parties, a free press, trade unions and organizations for attorneys, teachers and other learned professions. Bremer said such institutions are an essential part of any stable democracy. Dave Nona, co-owner of Triangle Development, asked Bremer how the Chaldean community in the United States could help ensure that democracy takes root in Iraq. “We understand the culture and the lay of the land,” Nona said. “There’s a lot we can do. We not only care about the Christians, we care about all of Iraq.” Bremer suggested that the Chaldean community pay an expert to manage a strategic public relations campaign CHAI TIME Before the discussion with Chaldean business leaders began, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer walked to the beverage table and made himself a cup of tea. “He goes to Iraq, now he’s a tea drinker,” quipped Chaldean Federation of America Chairman Mike George to the laughter of many, including Bremer. “There are messages, if they’re framed properly, that can capture the attention of Washington and the [national] press,” Bremer said. “The message should be ‘how we can help America succeed in Iraq.’” Based on the religious voting patterns evident in Iraq’s elections, Saad Hajjar, chairman of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, asked Bremer about the likelihood of the new government becoming a theocracy. Hajjar called it a nightmare scenario, and Bremer said it’s possible but not probable, citing numerous opinion polls in which no more than 10 Ambassador Paul Bremer autographs his book for Dr. Adhid Miri. percent of Iraqis surveyed said they desired a theocracy. The ambassador also said a theocracy would push the Kurds in northern Iraq to secede — something Shia leaders don’t want to happen. Bremer’s trademark during his duty in Iraq was a pair of tan combat boots he wore with his tailored suits. “What is it with the boots?” Dr. Adhid Miri asked. “I always saw you perfectly groomed but with the boots.” Bremer said he wore them as a matter of pragmatism. Iraq is a dusty country, he said, and early in his tenure discovered that he was cleaning his dress shoes about every 15 minutes. The boots — a present from his son — hid the dust. A career diplomat, Bremer entered the Foreign Service in 1967 and held posts in Malawi, Afghanistan, Norway and other nations. President Ronald Reagan appointed him ambassador to The Netherlands and later Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism. Besides English, Bremer speaks Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Norwegian, Persian and Spanish. ONE-ON-ONE continued from 28 Oil Corporation about reducing gas prices when they reached record levels following Hurricane Katrina. In August of last year, I increased the number of gas inspectors in the state to ensure consumers get what they pay for. I also called for legislation that would require gas station operators to prove their pumps are accurate and working properly when they apply for renewal of their operator’s license. CN: It appears as if you are gearing up for re-election and that Dick DeVos will be your Republican opponent. What differentiates your philosophy for revitalizing the economy from his? JG: When the time comes I will turn my attention to the campaign, but until then I’m not focused on the campaign or the would-be candidates. What I am focused on is governing and building on my plan to diversify and strengthen Michigan’s economy. I am working to create jobs today and tomorrow and I’m continuing to go anywhere and do anything to convince businesses to locate and expand in Michigan. I am protecting families and their pocketbooks because current economic hard times affect every person in the state. I making sure that our kids are getting a quality education. Michigan is moving in the right direction, but there is plenty of work that still needs to be done, and getting that work done is my priority right now. CN: Your stance on abortion created controversy with some Christians in the last election. Will you please clarify your views on abortion? Will this be a big issue in the next campaign? JG: As a Catholic, I do not believe in abortion. However, I do not think the government should make these very personal decisions for women, and therefore I do not believe the government can make this decision for a woman. It is a very private decision she must make with her doctor. My administration continues to work to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies across the state as a way to reduce the number of abortions, because the best way to deal with a problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. We launched a successful pilot program called “Talk Early, Talk Often” designed to offer parents a resource to speak frankly with their children about issues involving abstinence and sexuality. By striving to ensure every pregnancy is an intended pregnancy we will see significant reductions in infant mortality, child abuse, child neglect and abortion across the state. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2006
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