Former army generals snub government’s offer to return

 

Azzaman, February 19, 2009

 

Commanders of the former army have set several conditions for the government to meet before considering reconciliation.

 

On top of their demands come the cancellation of a notorious law called debaathification and ridding the current armed forces of sectarian affiliations.

 

Under debaathification members of the former Arab Baath Party which ruled the country are not allowed to assume public and government posts.

 

Almost all senior army commanders were Baath party members.

 

“The government is not serious. We fear there is a trap here, otherwise they (government) should have first scrapped their debaathification rules,” said General Nouri al-Ubaidi.

 

The commanders also demanded the government pay their financial dues retroactively and in a way that matches what their comrades in the current armed forces earn.

 

Lt. Gen. Talal al-Qaisi said it was important for the government to show due respect for the former army officers and pay them in the light of the ranks they held before the former army was disbanded.

 

“The Iraqi government has not yet shown enough good will towards the former army. We will return as part of a national reconciliation package and part of a government that distances itself from foreign occupation and sectarian and ethnic militias,” Qaisi said.

 

Lt. Gen. Qusay al-Adhami said he was not happy with the government’s conditions and advised former army officers abroad not to report to Iraqi embassies.

 

“We will return if the current army is purged of sectarian and ethnic affiliation and when the government makes national reconciliation a top priority,” Adhami said.