Tracy,

I am going to go ahead and reply for Jim: The very evil cabal led by Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, etc. are using the Iraqi exiles as puppets, all part of their master plan to take over the entire world! The sky is falling! The sky is falling!


>Actually I believe the 'military's transitional team' is sitting in Kuwait which has currently a retired general as a team leader. From what I understand, they are there waiting to enter Iraq when the fighting stops to start organizing a transitional government in Iraq and coordinate security. Initial security will be divided into 'zones' I'm sure for security purposes only (kindof like counties in the U.S. for security areas to be responsible for such as police actions, crime, leftover guerilla fighters, etc) This is supposedly the temporay military portion of the transitional government. I would guess that this one would need to be in place for at least 6 months. It will take that long to ensure the security and safety of Iraqi citizens and continue to weed out sporadic leftover guerrilla fighters that might take pot-shots at new leaders, find and destroy weapons caches, etc. I envision a 6-8 month military controlled period followed by a 1-2 year temporary civilian leadership
>followed by Iraqi elections.
>
>Following that, I have no idea! While democracy is not difficult, it will takes months to organize and coordinate and provide security for elections. Getting people to run, creating political parties, police training locations, training police, government structures, etc will actually take years.
>
>Then what about a new Iraqi army capable of defending itself. Sortof what Japan was allowed to do after WWII. That must be coordinated and funded and the leaders trained to be non-tortuers and how to be military leaders and abide by humanitarian guidelines, etc. Funding of the new army and approved weapons for self-defense, etc. Then what if Iraq wants U.S. military installations for a period of time to protect itself (I doubt it, but it is a possibility) until its military can be rebuilt (like Germany, France, Turkey, etc)? While it might be a good idea for Iraq during the rebuilding process, the Arab world would go crazy. However, Iraq would have good reason go want one given their Iran and Turkey history.
>
>I am just a citizen at home, so what do I know! Nothing! :o)
>
>
>>Last night on "60 Minutes" (TV show on CBS) a segment discussed post-war Iraq and a portion focused on reconstruction.
>>
>>One administration related person stated flatly that it makes perfect sense to him that U.S. companies should get all the work and profits because it was U.S. blood that won the victory. [don't remember his name but he was a balding large smarmy individual who sees things in black and white only]
>>
>>I find it to be a curious aspect of capitalism that the blood of individual soldiers killed or wounded could be so easily APPROPRIATED by corporate interests!
>>
>>Will the profits realized go towards supporting the families of those killed in the war? Will the profits realized go into supporting medical/rehab costs for those injured in the war?
>>Since corporations pay little or no taxes, that route isn't the likely way.
>>
>>Sidenote: The Wolfowitz/cabal 'transitional government' team is now sitting in southern Iraq. I wonder why?!?!?!
>>And the disagreement between Rumsfeld(cabal) and Powell is now out in the open. If Rumsfeld wins, as I'm sure he intends to, then we had all better be prepared for bad things to come of it.