Is Rep. Gutknecht foreseeing the breakup of Iraq?

Following Rep. Gil Gutknecht's recent trip to Iraq, the congressman published an issue alert entitled "IRAQ: THE ROAD AHEAD". In it he writes:

Without question, there are strong cultural differences between the Kurds and Iraqis. But the difference in levels of progress comes down to the simple question of responsibility. In the North, the Kurds took responsibility for policing their own streets. They appreciate the umbrella of security that U.S. air cover provides, but they have taken charge on the ground.

I believe success leaves clues. The Kurds have developed the blueprint for peace and prosperity for all of Iraq. If the Kurdish model is imprinted on the rest of Iraq, both Iraqi and American children will live in a safer world.

Regarding Rep. Gutknecht's statement, Tom Maertens comments:

The only real issue I have with his announcement is that he implicitly endorsed Kurdish independence, which means the partitioning of Iraq.

The LA Times this week reported that Shiite leaders are now pushing for formal partition — the end of Iraq, in other words, and the end of the fiction that there is a central government in control.

And yes, a civil war is underway, no matter what the [White House says].

For those who wish to learn more, we suggest you read Rep. Gutknecht's issue alert as well as the Los Angeles Times article Maertens references.

LP