23 months ago: A young man signs the condolences book at the Jordanian Baath Party offices in Amman where party officials were receiving condolences following the execution of Iraq's ousted leader Saddam Hussien (portrait) 30 December 2006. Saddam's execution today drew mixed reactions across the Middle East, with some saying he got what he deserved and others hailing him as a martyr. AFP PHOTO/KHALIL MAZRAAWI (Photo credit should read KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images)
Iraq Passes Bill on Baathists (click title to entry - thank you)
Plan Would Ease Limits on Former Hussein Followers
By Joshua Partlow and Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, January 13, 2008; Page A01
...The legislation seeks to redress the first order issued by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2003, the controversial decision that drove thousands of Baath Party members from their jobs and alienated them from Iraq's political process. That decision, along with a move to disband the Iraqi army, is widely believed to have fueled the Sunni insurgency that proved so deadly in the following years....
Now what is the deal? Either the Baathists can organize and participate in politics or they can't and where it the PROOF of a coup besides 'one faciliated by elections?'
Iraqi politicians accused of 'coup' (click here)
More than twenty members of the Iraqi interior ministry, including at least one general, were arrested yesterday allegedly in connection with a plot to revive Saddam Hussein's banned Ba'ath party.
By Tim Butcher, Middle East Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:01PM GMT 18 Dec 2008
The arrests raised fears of a possible coup attempt against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the leader whose election was only made possible by the US-led ousting of Saddam's regime five years ago.
News of the arrests added to the already febrile atmosphere in Iraq in the run-up to next month's provincial elections.
One senior parliamentarian sought to defuse public concern over the arrests by describing suggestions of a coup as an "exaggeration''.
Nevertheless the arrests raised questions about the durability of Mr Maliki's government after Robert Gates, US defence secretary, confirmed the US-led occupation of Iraq had entered its "endgame''....
Conspiracy? (click here)
35 Iraqi officials arrested, some for links to Al Awda
18.December 2008, 08:48
35 officials were arrested for allegedly working secretly to restore Suddam Hussein's outlawed Baath Party in Iraq. Anonymous inside sources told the New York Times the arrests were politically motivated and ordered by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in the lead up to provincial elections. The Times reported four of the arrested officials were generals....
