The Way Forward

On March 24, 2006 I wrote about Iraq:

"1. Divide the country into three states. The shia state, the Sunni state, The Kurdish state. Let each run their daily lives and local policies.
2. Divide oil revenues between the three states based on population. This way oil is not controlled by "whoever's land" it is on but is a national asset divided equally among the people. The ratios can change based on a census every 5 years.
3. The military has equal numbers from all three states.
4. Each state has its own assembly. An initial constitution must be approved by two thirds majority of each state's assembly and the national assembly. Any change would require the same measure. That is if it is not acceptable to any one state it is not acceptable.
5. Elections are every six years for the state and national assemblies. Prime minister's serve for two years each. One shia, one sunni, one kurd. The "national assembly" would consist of the national assembly and the state assembly of the state from where the prime minister is chosen. The ratios of the assemblies must be such that the prime minister has the majority to carry out most of the governments work (except for changes in constitution which has been highlighted above). And these five points are part of the constitution.

If the Iraqi leadership is sincere it should have no problem adopting such a measure. But if people are going for an oil grab and a military grab it would be pretty obvious.
I don't think it is workable because I don't think that the leadership or the people are sincere but if they can adopt such measures and then stick to them then they may have something to work with. Infact if they do not adopt such measures the US should force such measures in the initial constitution since Iraqi's will always have the choice to change it if all three states agree."

On May 1, 2006 I wrote:
"Apparently Biden has come out with a proposal to divide Iraq into three autonomous zones, yes you guessed it, one for the Sunnis, one for the Shias and one for the little Kurds who live down the lane."

At the time Biden's proposal was panned. Now the environment is looking more hospitable for it, with the second proposal I mentioned also being discussed by some people, including Al Franken on Air America.

The military and constitutional proposal's have not been talked about yet but that will come. These proposal's will not solve everything since it is very hard for people to get along if they hate each other. Infact they will initially even isolate the three feuding parties but that is the first step to reconciliation of any sort.