Spring Break
Makiya takes leadership role in shaping Iraq's future
by Jeremy Hamburgh
Features | 1/14/03
Posted online at 3:28 AM EST on 1/14/03
Makiya dispelled rumors that he jumped from Brandeis to the federal government to take a position at the State Department or with the Bush Administration. He has, however, been working with the State Department on its "Future of Iraq Initiative." The initiative encompasses 10 to 12 workshops that address issues such as education and the environment in post-Saddam Iraq. He worked on the workshop dealing with democratic principles. "Iraqis, none of whom are paid, are discussing these various issues, breaking into workshops and committees," Makiya explained. "We put the political side of all of this to Congress of Iraqi Opposition." Not surprisingly, the State Department is not enamored with initiative's conclusions. "It goes too far," he said. "It commits us to a total transformation of Iraq and the
State Department does not want to be seen as being associated with it at this time."
When asked if he would join the Bush Administration in any capacity, Makiya simply laughed. "Would I join the Bush Administration?" he asked. "I'm not even an American! I hope very much to play a roll in the future of the country (Iraq), if all sorts of things don't go wrong and if the Bush Administration stays the course."
The extent of his relationship to Bush was the meeting he took part in at the Oval Office. The meeting involved three dissidents, two of whom were closely associated with the Iraqi National Congress, the New York Times reported along with the President, Vice President Cheney and National Security Adviser
Condoleeza Rice. Though the Times reported that "none of the Iraqi participants were willing to discuss precisely what Mr. Bush said," Makiya volunteered the fact that Bush was "very positive" and "genuinely aware of the scale of the undertaking he is about to take." "He comes across genuine about democracy in Iraq, which he sees as part of the democratization of the region," he said.
Makiya said he will return to Brandeis. "The NEJS department very kindly granted me leave. It's an extraordinary moment for me," he said. "The support of the president (Reinharz) and of my department for the work I'm doing on the future of Iraq was absolute and I never felt it waver for a second. I deeply appreciate it."
State Department does not want to be seen as being associated with it at this time."
When asked if he would join the Bush Administration in any capacity, Makiya simply laughed. "Would I join the Bush Administration?" he asked. "I'm not even an American! I hope very much to play a roll in the future of the country (Iraq), if all sorts of things don't go wrong and if the Bush Administration stays the course."
The extent of his relationship to Bush was the meeting he took part in at the Oval Office. The meeting involved three dissidents, two of whom were closely associated with the Iraqi National Congress, the New York Times reported along with the President, Vice President Cheney and National Security Adviser
Condoleeza Rice. Though the Times reported that "none of the Iraqi participants were willing to discuss precisely what Mr. Bush said," Makiya volunteered the fact that Bush was "very positive" and "genuinely aware of the scale of the undertaking he is about to take." "He comes across genuine about democracy in Iraq, which he sees as part of the democratization of the region," he said.
Makiya said he will return to Brandeis. "The NEJS department very kindly granted me leave. It's an extraordinary moment for me," he said. "The support of the president (Reinharz) and of my department for the work I'm doing on the future of Iraq was absolute and I never felt it waver for a second. I deeply appreciate it."
