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Recent developments in Anbar province have seen local tribes taking up the fight against al Qaeda-affiliated groups more aggressively and with greater success than earlier periods in the war. Much of the credit has been attributed to a new partnership the US military has forged with the "Anbar Salvation Front," a coalition of Sunni tribal leaders under the leadership of Shaykh Abd al-Sattar Abu Risha.
New information has now emerged indicating that this successful partnership resulted from the rekindling of a US plan first conceived in late 2003, but which was ultimately shot down by CPA and US military officials.
Col. Pat Lang has posted a letter from a friend "CS," described as a "retired senior Army intelligence officer who served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004", recounting the failure in early 2004 of what sounds like it could have been a critical pre-emptive measure to secure Anbar before al Qaeda moved in and began causing trouble.
"In the event anyone is interested, unfortunately, here's what happened in December 2003 to mid-January 2004:"With help of an Arab-American businessman and translator working at CPA, (we) accumulated 19 Anbar sheiks who were willing to commit their tribes to fighting AQ. They were going to disarm their folks, and with our authorization and assistance (AK-47's, some money, some vehicles, and a recognition of them - a "Patch" or something), they were going to boot foreigners out, and secure their areas. They would recognize the police, should any be out there. They were going to recognize whatever politicians were in the province. The only thing we offered in addition to getting the funding and equipment was that we had business lined up to come in once they were secure. No kidding, the Arab American had businesses lined up. The money provided by us would allow the tribal chief to start generating economy. Each of the 19 tribal chiefs would get equivalent of $200 per man monthly, starting off with 50 men."
The plan was shot down after it had worked its way up to the higher levels of the CPA for approval and funding.
As "CS" recalls, in the critical meeting, Sanchez's policy adviser concluded, "We don't want to recognize tribes in the new Iraq. The city folk want modern life - not tribes"
The idea was reportedly shelved after that meeting and never presented to Bremer.
Hat tip to Abu Aardvark for picking up on this first.
