Deepening disarray over US policy in Iraq

Deepening disarray over US policy in Iraq
By Guy Dinmore in Washington
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006
Published: October 22 2006 20:57 | Last updated: October 22 2006 20:57



Leading Republicans and the Bush administration on Sunday projected a deepening sense of disarray over Iraq, as they argued with each other over the current state of affairs and the way forward.

Several senators took issue with the administration’s policies in Iraq, distancing themselves from the White House in the run-up to next month’s mid-term elections to Congress.
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Spokesmen scrambled to deny media reports that ran contrary to the official line.

Senator John Warner, chairman of the armed services committee, who had described Iraq as “slipping sideways”, on Fox News declared the situation to be worsening as Shia turned on Shia, Sunni on Sunni and al-Qaeda moved into the western Anbar province.

Mr Warner congratulated US military commanders for acknowledging that the Baghdad security plan was not working. But he did stand by the administration in rejecting calls for a timetable of withdrawal.

Senator Arlen Specter, head of the judiciary committee, said a New York Times report on Sunday – denied by the White House – had all the hallmarks of accuracy. According to the report, the administration is preparing a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and take on a larger security role.

Mr Specter said that was the right approach and the government of Nouri al-Maliki had to be told the US would not be there for ever.

“We have to face the facts,” he said, declaring Iraq to be in a civil war, at odds with official pronouncements.

Senator Richard Lugar, who chairs the foreign affairs committee, said Mr Maliki lacked “clout” but was “probably the best horse to ride on in the situation”.