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
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Over 400 delegates from around the world took part in the Iraqi Leadership Conference. Its major accomplishment was the release of a report entitled "Transition to Democracy," a document addressing issues such as federalism, accountability and judicial reform. It was produced by 32 Iraqis in the months preceding the conference, Makiya said.
The report was not without detractors. The delegates disagreed on major issues, dispelling any myth of a consensus among dissidents regarding the future of the country. On the issue of federalism, for example, Makiya came out in favor of the reorganization of Iraq on a federal basis, whereas he said the Democrats "came up with another idea." According to Makiya, the report was also "in essence, too complicated." Emerging out of the mess was a 60-member Coordinating Committee, of which Makiya is a member, that will meet in Northern Iraq to discuss the "nucleus of a transitional government in Iraq, post-liberation."
When asked about his self-identification as the "father of what he calls a 'non-Arab' and decentralized post-Ba'ath" Iraq, as quoted in a highly-critical article by Edward Said, author of "Orientalism" and professor of Comparative Literature at Columbia University, Makiya said, "Nothing he said there is accurate or correct. I am for a non-ethnic Iraq. It does not matter what your ethnicity is, you are treated equally before the law. An Arab is not preferred over a Kurd or an Armenian." He then aired his feelings about the controversial Said. "The man is pathetic. He is a sad case," Makiya said. "He is to intelligent rational discourse in the Arab World what the suicide bomber is to politics."
Makiya explained that Said -- and two other Iraqi intellectuals dwelling in the halls of American academia -- was furious, largely because of what was in the report that came out of the conference. The article, entitled "Misinformation About Iraq," did not receive much press in America. The major reaction was in the Arab world, where Makiya accused Said of conducting a smear campaign. Contrary to Said's intention, Makiya's reputation was enhanced by the publicity. "Seven articles have appeared in El-Shayyat in support of me," he said proudly. "The Internet is buzzing with articles." The support is not merely from Iraqis, either. Kuwaits, Lebanese and others have backed the prominent dissident.
