By TARIQ KHONJI
THE US administration should focus less on combat and more on empowering the Iraqi people so that they can defend themselves and manage their own affairs, a former US Defence Secretary said yesterday.
"The US focus should be less on combat and more on the training of the Iraqi forces," said William Cohen.
"Such a move would enjoy significant support from Congress, although there may be some that may reject that.
"The US and the allies must provide support for the establishment of a democratic state and a more equitable distribution of wealth."
Mr Cohen was speaking on the second day of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue at the Ritz-Carlton-Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
"We have seen a change in attitude on the part of the American people," said Mr Cohen.
"The perception and the reality is that things haven't gone according to plan.
"The war hasn't been successful. We aren't seen as liberators and the seeds of democracy haven't taken root."
He also said that the US should engage other countries in the region, particularly those that have so far refused to talk to, namely Syria and Iran.
"Syria is more challenging since its interests are also tied to the Middle East Peace Process," said Mr Cohen.
"Its interests are related to the Golan Heights and Lebanon.
"We should send our ambassador back to Syria and we must seek to engage them although we must maintain our expectations at a low level.
"I have no problem with talking to Iran, but in order to do so, we must have the support of China and Russia."
Mr Cohen said although he no longer represents the US Government, he has been working with civil groups to help improve relations between Israel and the Palestinians.
However, he added that stubbornness on the part of the current ruling party Hamas was making this very difficult.
"It doesn't help when you have Hamas refusing to ever declare Israel's right to exist and Iran threatening to blow Israel off the map," he said.
Mr Cohen was also very critical of the role of the United Nations (UN), which he said was "good at passing resolutions, but not so good at enforcing them".
"If you pass laws and don't enforce them you create contempt for those laws," he said.
Mr Cohen said that the UN must enforce its resolutions against Iran going forward with the production of nuclear weapons.
The IISS dialogue aims to provide a forum where the most senior authorities responsible for defence, foreign policy and security issues can exchange views on the security challenges to the region.
