IRAQ: U.S. ambassador sees Muthanna as model for future

U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker flew into Muthanna, Iraq, on Saturday -- his first provincial visit of 2009 -- and lauded the southern province as an example of Iraq's future.

The province, about the size of West Virginia, is predominantly Shiite but ranks as the most deprived of Iraq's 18 provinces on the United Nations' deprivation index, with an unemployment rate of about 60%. But it was the first province to be returned to provincial Iraqi control in 2006 because it's long been considered Iraq's safest area.

"Iraqis are completely in control of security in the province and ... the security is extremely good," Crocker said. "There's a lot of work ahead, but provinces like this and progress we've seen elsewhere give me a lot of optimism that we can move ahead."

Security concerns largely behind it, Muthanna has turned its attention to building its infrastructure and developing the economy. In Crocker's meetings with government officials, several of them questioned what role the U.S. would play in this. The only glimmer of excitement in an otherwise tranquil day came when the sheik of the Zayadi tribe -- the largest and most powerful in Muthanna -- walked in late to a meeting, then loudly and firmly questioned Crocker. Their encounter took place entirely in Arabic, but Crocker said several times throughout the day that the U.S. has spent more than $160 million in Muthanna on civilian and military projects since the 2003 invasion.

Meanwhile, Crocker kept with his message: 2009 is an important year for Iraq. In addition to handing military control back to Iraqis and returning the Republican Palace -- one of Saddam Hussein's lavish residences and former home of the U.S. Embassy -- the country also is holding provincial elections Jan. 31 and national elections later in the year.

The elections must be free and fair and perceived that way by Iraqis, he said, adding that Iraqi and U.S. officials are taking extra precautions with security.

"Violence is bad politics and it's been bad politics for a while," Crocker said. "I think anyone who is thinking about violence to advance an electoral cause here had better think again because the Iraqi people have just had it with that kind of activity."

-- Kimi Yoshino in Muthanna

Photo: U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, cetnter, visits the Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team in southern Iraq. Credit: Kimi Yoshino