"They're not going to develop that."

What? A Islamic Iraq. Or so Bush claimed last year. During Meet the Press on Sunday, the issue of the role of Islam was discussed (regarding the drawing up of the constitution). A short videotape of Bush was played, in contrast to the most recent developments in Iraq. From the transcript:

(Videotape, February 8, 2004):

MR. TIM RUSSERT: If the Iraqis choose, however, an Islamic extremist regime, would you accept that, and would that be better for the United States than Saddam Hussein?

PRES. BUSH: They're not going to develop that. And the reason I can say that is because I am very aware of this basic law they're writing. They're not going to develop that, because right here in the Oval Office, I sat down with Mr. Pachachi and Chalabi and al-Hakim, people from different parts of the country that have made the firm commitment that they want a constitution eventually written that recognizes minority rights and freedom of religion.

(End videotape)

Unfortunately Russert used the qualifier "extremist", which means Bush can claim vindication if Iraq "only" becomes a theocracy in the Saudi Arabi mode. But women's rights will be trampled upon in such a scenario.

It's interesting that Bush was getting the straight dope about the future of Iraq from such honorable men as Ahmed Chalibi. I wonder what else he was told.


posted by Quiddity at 8/22/2005 09:00:00 PM