The plot thickens: Baath resistance accuses Syria of plotting with America

Al-Hayat, in an article datelined Baghdad-London-Washington, explains the Maliki-Bush exchange of critical remarks as follows:

Observers said this kind of criticism [by Bush] is something he needs to do to placate his political opponents both domestic and foreign. [And later in the piece the reporter adds] "this is to emphasize Washington's seriousness in the application of this new policy, and the fact that there isn't unlimited time for [Baghdad] to bear its responsibility"]. And on the other side, it makes the Iraqi government appear to its own people to be in the commanding position.

An American official familiar with the Iraqi developments explained to the reporter, with reference to Maliki's continuing complaints about not enough power and authority for the Iraqi army:

Everyone is in agreement that the strengthening the Iraqi army and training the Iraqi security forces are the key to stability in Iraq, and there is common disappointment at the slowness. And the American official added that strengthening Iraqi government authority in security matters is directly related to [the ability to] make progress on the political level and in the process of [domestic] agreement and reconciliation. But he added that Washington isn't offering any free lunch to the Iraqi government in this, and it has to live up to its comitments.

So in the matter of the mutual accusations between Bush and Maliki, Al-Hayat's Washington sources say this is merely to let each side score points with its domestic audience, and not a sign of any real breakdown in the common effort.

On a topic of more structural importance, both Al-Hayat and Al-Quds al-Arabi report on an apparent split among the Iraqi Baathists, with one wing, led by one Muhamad al-Yunis al-Ahmad, making what appear to be plans for joining the Baghdad political process. And the move is bitterly criticized by the resistance group headed by Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri. The news-hook for this is a plan by the Yunis group to hold what is described as a joint council in Damascus, which among other things would join together the Syrian and Iraqi branches of the Baath party, estranged for 30 years now, but whose more important function would be to offer to join in the Baghdad political process based on the following deal: The de-Baathification law would be repealed, the party would be legalized, it would agree to participate in the political process, including competitive elections and so on, and it would agree to criticize terrorist groups that kill civilians.

There are two documents expressing the resistance wing's opposition to this. One is a personal message signed by Douri (who was a vice president under Saddam, the only one of his top people who are still at large, and is thought to be leading the Baath armed resistance), and the other a declaration signed the "national leadership" of the Baath party. The latter said this is a plot or a scheme by the American occupation against the Baath party, and it accused Syria of having a hand in it by hosting the proposed conference. The aim, the statement said, is to get rid of the leadership in the defence of Iraq, namely the [Baath] party, and insert it [the party] into the regime of Syria, which is a natural ally of Tehran.

The document signed by Douri attacked Yunis and his group, and urged "defenders of the party outside of Iraq to oppose these people who are scheming with the occupation and with Syrian intelligence, and isolate them [the Yunis group]."

Meanwhile, Iraqi president Talabani, in Damascus, said Baghdad is preparing extradition requests for the return of former-regime persons accused of crimes (embezlement and so on) living in Syria. He added he thinks Douri is living in Yemen.