Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Step Toward Reconciliation?   [Cliff May]

No doubt, the murder of Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, the young and charismatic sheik who led the Anbar Salvation Council, is a victory for al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Abu Risha was among the traditional leaders who recently met with Bush in Iraq. He was cooperating closely with American troops in the fight against AQI.

The first point to note: People like Abu Risha will be slaughtered by the thousands if Congress voters for a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq. What impact might that have on American credibility?

The second thing to note: The Shia-dominated Iraqi government has ordered a monument built to honor Abu Risha and is referring to him as a “martyr.” Could this be the beginning of reconciliation — with or without new laws passed?

Also, the use of the term "martyr" reveals the depth of the theological break with al-Qaeda, a shift I explored in this recent column on “the unseen impact of the Petraeus strategy.”

From the AP report:

Many Ramadi residents reacted with shock and sadness, calling Abu Risha a "hero" who helped pacify their city.

"We were able to reopen our shops and send our children back to school," said Alaa Abid, who owns an auto parts store in Ramadi. "Now we're afraid that the black days of al-Qaida will return to our city."

Me: With the U.S. Congress in session, perhaps such fears are not misplaced.

09/13 03:47 PMShare