The Bush administration is close to appointing a coordinator to pull together US policy toward the Iraqi opposition, which dissident groups have complained is divided among the Pentagon, the State Department, and the CIA.
According to The Boston Globe, the designation of an envoy could come within weeks, a White House official said.
Analysts maintain, according to the newspaper, such a step would be a sign of US seriousness in moving ahead on its declared intention to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
''It would be the single voice of the United States government to speak with the opposition,'' the administration official said. ''This person will be the government spokesman, period.''
Officials claimed the envoy would likely come from the State Department but carry the authority of the White House, providing the clout necessary to bridge sharp differences between the Pentagon and the State Department.
The appointment of an envoy will also mark a turning point in US policy toward Iraqi dissidents, suggesting in part the failure so far of attempts to forge a credible and cohesive opposition, the report said.
''Is there a perceived need that the US government have an effective opposition to work with in Iraq in the future? That answer is yes,'' the official said. ''Have we figured out how to define that? Not yet. We haven't come to a conclusion on how to deal with the Iraqi opposition.'' (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
