In the first place, the civil war has started. Iraqis are blowing up Iraqis as well as Iraqis blowing up Americans. And Americans are blowing up Iraqis, raiding homes, "detaining" them by the thousands. And contrary to some, Iraqis don't love us for that. Damnedest thing.

As the occupying power, it is the American's responsibility to guarantee the safety of Iraqis. They are not doing that, and they seem to have gone into garrison to avoid attacks, leaving much of the countryside to fanatics.

Secondly, this agreement seems to be very vague in the areas which are toughest, for example the exact role of the Kurds. The US promised the Turks that the Kurds wouldn't be granted independence, but that's what they want. For now, they have settled for autonomy, but will secede when they get a chance.

Who's to stop that?

The Sunni's and Shiites have come to an agreement that they will agree later on how representation will be divided. That is a very serious issue.

It will be when they have to come to a firm commitment as to the role the major factions will play in the "democratic" Iraq that there will be serious problems. No one claims this agreement does anything but legitimizes the American presence in the area, because the UN mandate runs out at the end of the month.

Oh, yes. It does keep the puppet Iraqi governing authority in power a bit longer.

The civil war has started because the US as occupying power can't/won't keep Iraqis safe, but it will ramp up when the hard decisions have to be made.

Arf