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Force Alone Cannot Transform Iraq, Says Coalition General

Politics, economics will "change people's lives," says General Fry

In a post-conflict situation like in Iraq, military force alone never can bring about decisive results, according to the deputy commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq.

All the coalition can do is to support the Iraqi political and economic processes that have the power to "change people's lives," said British Royal Marine Lieutenant General Robert Fry during a May 12 press briefing in Iraq.

Fry, the top-ranking British military officer in Iraq, told journalists at the Pentagon who questioned him via teleconference that he believed his thesis would be tested very soon, as an elected Iraqi unity government begins to function more fully. (See related article.)

When that happens, Fry said, "I expect to begin to see real change driven through Iraqi society. Our function, in the meantime, is to do no more than enable that."

With an elected Iraqi government on the verge of taking full political control, he said, "we are about to enter a phase here which is likely to be decisive in terms of the political transformation of this country."(See related article.)

However, Fry said Iraq's enemies understand that formation of the unity government will mean failure for them and they can be expected to continue mounting attacks aimed at arousing sectarian tensions and derailing Iraqi democracy.

The insurgents will make every effort to disrupt the new government's efforts, said Fry. (See related article.)

To be successful, Fry said the new Iraqi prime minister will need to "engage the political constituencies" that are connected to militia groups and invite those leaders to participate in the political process.

After that, Fry said he would envision "a certain amount of wider public consultation" to inform and educate the general population about the government's political plans.

Source: U.S. Department of State

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