http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issue...eadersindex.htm

Go to the site for photos and active links to the documentation.

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Do You Want to Know Who the Americans Running Iraq Really Are? (May 14, 2003)
Personnel from a numerous US government agencies have been appointed by Washington to administer post-war Iraq. This site provides extensive information on the occupiers in Iraq. (Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research).

US State Department
US Ambassador

John D. Negroponte

Negroponte, Honduras and Iraq (July 9, 2004)
Newly appointed US Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte leads a contingent of 3000 personnel to what surmounts as the largest US embassy in the world. However, given the allegations of human rights abuses against Negroponte during the 1980’s as US Ambassador to Nicaragua, critics wonder what the Bush administration has in store for the “new Iraq.” (ZNet)

Iraq's Interim Government
Interim Iraqi Government (June 1, 2004)
Thirty five members make up Iraq’s new Interim Government, including a President and two Vice-Presidents, as well as a Prime Minister and a ministerial cabinet. Prominent names not part of the new government include Ahmed Chalabi, once US-favourite as the future leader of Iraq. (BBC)

President
Vice President Vice President

Sheik Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar
Picture Credit: Ceerwan Aziz/ Reuters Ibrahim Jaafari
Picture Credit: al-Jazeera Rowsch Shaways
Picture Credit: Google Images

A President with Panache: Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar (June 1, 2004)
Sheik Ghazi al-Yawar, a Sunni Arab and leader of the Shammar tribe, was appointed Interim President of Iraq. Can the appointment of a Sheik Yawar eliminate the Sunni sense of marginalization by the US-led coalition? (New York Times)

Prime Minister

Iyad Allawi
Picture Credit: Getty Images

Allawi Shot Inmates in Cold Blood (July 17, 2004)
Witnesses claim that Iraq’s Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi summarily “executed as many as six suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station,” with around a dozen police officers and four US security contractors present. One of the witnesses claims that Allawi told those around him that “he wanted to send a clear message to the police on how to deal with insurgents.” Is Allawi endorsing a return to the ruthless tactics practiced by the Saddam Hussein regime? (Sydney Morning Herald)

Allawi, Who Battled Hussein, to Lead Iraq after US Handover (June 1, 2004)
Iyad Allawi, a secular Shiite and Arab nationalist in exile for three decades, will serve as Interim Prime Minister. Can he lead Iraq towards elections in 2005? (Bloomberg)

Prominent Figures
Grand Ayatollah

Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani
Picture Credit: Associated Press

Iraq's Shadow Ruler (October 17, 2004)
Iraq’s most prominent Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatullah Sistani, has emerged as “the country's pivotal political figure.” Sistani’s influence reaches as far as the White House, but his aides stress that he will not take on any leading role for himself in a future government. This article gives an extensive overview of Sistani’s personal history and explains why he is “of a different breed” than another Shiite mullah, Iran’s Ayatullah Khomeini. (Time)

Call of History Draws Iraqi Cleric to the Political Fore (February 1, 2004)
This article explores the life of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, from his Iranian roots to his present role as spiritual and political leader of the Shiite Muslims in Iraq. Since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime, the reclusive leader has become a dominant voice shaping the future of Iraq. (Washington Post)

Hojatalislam

Muqtada al-Sadr
Picture Credit: Pier Paolo Cito/ Associated Press

The United States and Shiite Religious Factions in Post-Baathist Iraq (Fall 2003)
Professor Juan Cole examines the history of Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr, Muqtada al-Sadr and the Sadr Movement, and analyzes its development as the “most important tendency among religious Shiites in post-Baathist Iraq.” Cole hypothesizes that should the Movement materialize as a leading social power in the new Iraq, it will emerge as a “polarizing and destabilizing” force. (Middle East Journal)

Abdul Karim Mahoud al-Hatab
Picture Credit: Guardian

After 13 Years Fighting Saddam, Lord of the Marshes Wants His Country Back (April 28, 2003)
Known as the “Lord of the Marshes,” Abu Hattem fought against the repression of the Saddam Hussein regime, leading a guerilla war against the Iraqi army from secluded bases in southern Iraq. This article chronicles the exploits of Abu Hattem and discusses his political ambitions in shaping a new Iraq. (Guardian)

Coalition Provisional Authority
(May 1, 2003 - June 28, 2004)
Chief Administrator
(May 6,2003 - June 28, 2004)

L. Paul Bremer III
Picture Credit: Associated Press

Biographies of the Neo-Cons: Paul Bremer (June 16, 2003)
Experts consider L. Paul Bremer III, top civilian administrator in Baghdad, one of the world's leading authorities on terrorism. He previously held the position of chairman of the National Commission on Terrorism and served on the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Bremer holds hard-line neo-conservative views on Iraq and terrorism. (Al-Hayat)

Bremer's Baggage (May 09, 2003)
Information on L. Paul Bremer III, who is in charge of overseeing post-war Iraq. Bremer is viewed as a hardliner who served in the Reagan administration and his appointment in Iraq strengthens the Pentagon’s control over the country. (Working For Change)

Chief Administrator
(April 2003 - May 2003)

US General Jay Garner
Picture Credit: RD Ward/
Associated Press

What Do You Know About Jay Garner? (April 10, 2003)
Baghdad’s governor-in-waiting, retired General Garner, has a close relationship with the defense department and the arms industry. Garner is alleged to have used his Pentagon connections to win 100 million dollars in contracts for SY Coleman (high-technology defense contractor). (Middle East Online)

Man Who Would Be "King" of Iraq (March 30, 2003)
Oliver Morgan of the Observer profiles Jay Garner, the former US general who will head the Pentagon's Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq. Some aid agencies are worried about Garner's connections to prominent hawks in the Bush administration and to arms manufacturers.

Iraq Governing Council:
(July 2003 - June 2004)

Picture Credit: BBC

Iraqi Governing Council Members (July 14, 2003)
The CPA announced the creation of the Iraq Governing Council, selected by CPA Chief Administrator Paul Bremer. The Council consists of 25 members representing "the country's diverse religious and ethnic groupings." However, most members are Iraqi exiles who returned after the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime. Will Iraqis see this council as legitimate? (BBC)

Ahmad Chalabi
Picture Credit: Free Iraqi Forces/ Associated Press

Ahmad Chalabi and His Iranian Connection (February 18, 2004)
The US investigation into prewar intelligence reveals that information regarding Iraq’s WMD program came through Ahmad Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress (INC). Who is Ahmad Chalabi and why did the White House rely on intelligence supplied by the INC to justify the Iraqi invasion? (Stratfor Weekly)

Chalabi: With Friends Like the US... (April 25, 2003)
This article provides information on Ahmed Chalabi, a Pentagon favorite to run Iraq. The former head of the Iraqi National Congress has for years lobbied the US Governement for regime change in Iraq. Chalabi is also convicted of embezzlement and fraud in Jordan and has little support in Iraq. (Asia Times)


Jalal Talabani
Picture Credit: Associated Press

Breakfast at Talabani’s (February 24, 2004)
This article provides information on Jalal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and member of the Iraqi Governing Council. As political events in Iraq unfold, one wonders what he endeavors for the Kurds in Iraq and what role he will play in a new Iraqi government. (Daily Star)

This is very old. Gardner isn't even there anymore neither is Bremer. Alawi is the wild card. The Sydney paper and ONE reporter said that business about the shooting, but I don't believe it because he has enough detractors that I would know if he had that kind of incident or reputation.

They forgot to mention Barzani too. I guess the collection of characters is too nuanced for the Kurds to have more than one "leader". There is a whole slate of candidates running for office.

Sistani is starting to talk about Federalism. Kurds want independence but will settle for a strong Fedearl type system. No one wants anything to do wtih the Sunni's these days, but they are kind of stuck with them. Besides there are too many mixed marriages. Kids that are half shia and half sunni are calling themselves "Shushi" on the internet. Mostly, the same tribal leaders that have always represented the people, still represent them. They are not elected....just respected. That is the way of things in the Middle East...governments are not really the ones with the power. Sometimes it's the guy down the street who has the American equivelent of "street cred".

I guess the South Koreans are doing a pretty good job: Maybe you're right David, maybe we should withdraw to Kurdistan...I just can't figure out how we would do that with the supply lines coming from Turkey or across Iraq and the only route to the sea is through Iraq.



Gahm-sah-hahm-ni-da Korea (Thank You Korea)

South Korean President made a surprise visit to Kurdistan yesterday. The south Koreans are doing a superb job in Hawler (Erbil) in particular and all over Kurdistan generally. They are busy building modern hospitals, banks, and other important places. Their vehicles have the labels "We are your friends" in both Kurdish & English.
Thank You in Kurdish = Supas

I spent a couple of hours reading various articles on the NGO's web site. They are definitly for the United Nations running the show.

I think I still prefer the Constitution of the United States.

Thanks for the updates, at least it has some historic value. Bad webmaster!!! :o Please update your information!