JUAN COLE: RUMORS SWIRL OF POSSIBLE MILITARY COUP IN IRAQ

Juan Cole writes today that he is hearing rumors of some Iraqis planning for a military coup to topple the government of Nouri Al Maliki in Iraq.

"A rumor is circulating among well-connected and formerly high-level Iraqi bureaucrats in exile in places like Damascus that a military coup is being prepared for Iraq. I received the following from a reliable, knowledgeable contact. There is no certitude that this plan can or will be implemented. That it is being discussed at high levels seems highly likely."

This is an amazing development. That's why with all the turmoil and internecine fighting in Iraq, and now with these rumors of a possible military take-over, senators like Carl Levin and Hillary Clinton should refrain from calling for the replacement of prime minister Nouri Al Maliki. First, members of the United States government have no business dictating what should happen to the government of Iraq. And second, if a military coup takes place, these senators will be blamed for the ensuing uprising and violence, as will the United States.

Cole goes on to give the reports he is hearing:

"There is serious talk of a military commission (majlis `askari) to take over the government. The parties would be banned from holding positions, and all the ministers would be technocrats, so to speak. . . [The writer indicates that attempts have been made to recruit cabinet members from the ranks of expatriate technocrats.]

"The six-member board or commission would be composed on non-political former military personnel who are presently not part of the government OR the military establishment, such as it is in Iraq at the moment. It is said that the Americans are supporting this behind the scenes.

"The plan includes a two-year period during which political parties would not be permitted to be part of the government, but instead would prepare and strengthen the parties for an election which would not have lists, but real people running for real seats. The two year period would be designed to take control of security and restore infrastructure. . . .

"[I]t is another [desperate plan], but one which many many Iraqis will support, since they are sick of their country being pulled apart by the "imports" - Maliki, Allawi, Jaafari et al. The military group is composed of internals, people who have the goal of securing the country even at the risk of no democracy, so they say."