a) an independent board of five southern and five northern representatives, together with five pan-Arab representatives become an oversight board to distribute the oil evenly between the two new countries;
Iraq is ALREADY a UN protectorate. So you're advocating replacing that international authority with a "pan-Arab" committee consisting of regional Arab interests that don't necessarily co-incide with the economic interests of the Iraqis (Sunni or Shia)?
You should realize that there are historical rivalries between various regional tribal factions that go back hundreds of years. It's one of the reason you don't see much involvement from other neighboring Arab states.
Maybe Arab members from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria.. etc..
But also what you're creating by limiting committee membership to 5 members each, is that the "independent" board will be operated by the "pan-Arab" members.
Also, it's nice to assert that the Tigris and Euphrates would be "international" waterways, but how do you enforce it? And who would enforce it?
Also, regarding the access to the PG.. Exactly where would that "sliver" access the Gulf? Along the Iranian border?
Or should we just split the southern Shia region and create the equivalent of a "West Bank and Gaza" scenario where the their territory is forever divided?
As it CURRENTLY stands, Iraq has the international protection of the United Nations post-regime resolutions. And despite the recent terrorist actions against mosques and innocent civilians, the whole of the country remain relatively stable.
So while partitioning the country might be a future option, I opine that it should not be one that is shoved down the throats of the Iraqis. They will see "conspiracies" all around and claim that people like you ALWAYS had the partitioning of Iraq as part of your plan..
Dealing with Iraqis requires a generous application of reverse psychology. You have either wait for, or create, circumstances where their conspiracy theories actually lead them in the direction we'd like them to go.. namely a unified heterogenous and nationalist society that demands accountable and representative government that works for the benefit of all, not just a few.
Any partitioning plan would be as a response and solution to all-out civil war breaking out and all sides recognizing they can not dominate the other party.
Hawk |
