[JNV] IRAQ Sunni group demands 'US/UK out - UN in'

[JNV]

THE UN OPTION FOR IRAQ: (PART OF) THE SUNNI RESISTANCE DEMANDS UN REPLACEMENT FORCE 
JNV CALLS FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF SUPPORT

Dear friends

The anti-war movement is united in opposing the US/UK occupation of Iraq. But it has been divided over quite how or when to end that occupation. Now there is an opportunity for at least part of the movement to unite around a core set of demands that may have the support of the public in both Iraq and the occupier nations.

Since September 2003, Justice Not Vengeance has been arguing that unconditional, immediate withdrawal carried with it a real risk of intensifying the suffering of the Iraqi people, and that therefore rapid withdrawal of US-led forces should be accompanied by the introduction of an independent international security force that could lessen the risks of civil war and uncontrollable violence.

We have based our argument in part on a reading of Iraqi opinion polls (strengthened recently by discussions with professionals who have carried out in-depth opinion research), in part on our analysis of the situation in Iraq, and in part on the expressed views of elements in the Iraqi resistance (see our site for more on this).

(PART OF) THE RESISTANCE SPEAKS

In the Guardian two days ago (15 December 2005), for the first time that we are aware of, the UN option in the exact form that we have been proposing it has been put forward as a demand by a political force associated with the main part of the Sunni resistance.

Harith al-Dari, Secretary General of the Association of Muslim Scholars, has demanded 

the withdrawal of US-led forces, 
their replacement by UN forces, 
the formation of a temporary UN administration with an interim Iraqi government,
and genuinely independent elections held under UN auspices 

(full article on our website <www.j-n-v.org> or on the Guardian site at <http://tinyurl.com/dlfdv>)

This is exactly what JNV has been calling for since September 2005.

THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM CLERICS

The Association (also known as the Muslim Clerics Association) has been described as ‘by far the most important hardline Sunni Arab political organization’, which claims to speak for those engaged in anti-occupation struggle, and whose ‘broad ideology shows that it tries to represent a broad spectrum of insurgent groups.’ 

The authoritative Middle East Report notes that, ‘The exact nature of the Association’s relations with the insurgency is unclear, and it is unknown which groups it represents, but its influence is apparent from the role it played in securing the release of foreign hostages in 2004. The choice of so many guerrillas to lay down their arms for the October 15 referendum is also partly attributable to the Association’s call, though some “former regime elements” also called for quiet so that people could vote no in peace.’ (Roel Meijer, ‘The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq’, Middle East Report, Winter 2005 <http://www.merip.org/mer/mer237/mer237.html>)

TIME TO UNITE

In other words, a political grouping representing a broad spectrum of the Iraqi Sunni resistance (not, of course, the minority al-Qaeda fanatics) is publicly demanding UN replacement of US forces as the preferred solution for their country.

The indications are that this may well be acceptable to the Shia majority also (see Juan Cole, quoted on the JNV website).

It is also highly likely that this option would command majority support in the main occupier nations Britain and the United States – though the UN option has never been posed in any national opinion poll that we are aware of.

There is, therefore, a real opportunity now for the international anti-war movement to unite around support for the Association of Muslim Scholars’ exit strategy.

Individuals and groups inside and outside Iraq who wish to be part of this new international grouping are invited to contact Justice Not Vengeance at <info[at]j-n-v.org> (please replace [at]).

A longer version of this note, with the full Muslim Scholars Association article, and excerpts from past JNV briefings, can be found at via <www.j-n-v.org>.

Please feel free to forward this mail to anyone you feel may be interested.

Yours sincerely

Maya Evans
Milan Rai

www.j-n-v.org