I am, among several others, presently exploring and pursuing an interest in the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President of the UNITED STATES in 2008. Like most concerned Americans I have been following developments there over the years. Recent developments include the American midterm elections and the anticipation of a Memorandum opinion by the bipartisan Baker/Hamilton Iraq Study Group. Quite a while ago I formulated a proposal/plan for Iraq. It is on my campaign website and remains substantially little changed with perhaps some alterations/additions.

Unfortunately I have seen little indication of any other proposal/plan similar to mine. Whenever the possibility of partition is brought up, it is associated with autonomy over sovereignty and presumed violent reactions and is quickly dismissed or discredited. I believe it is viable and I stand by it and I hereby attempt to publicize it further for the consideration of the American people.

My proposal/plan offers the benefit of immediate removal of U.S. troops from the close proximity of conflict by redeploying to defensive positions at airfields and the Green Zone. No more patrols and convoys (all American operations by air and sea) & an immediate unilateral cease fire pending negotiations with the present government, the past government (the “insurgents”) and, but not necessarily, the Arab League. The main obstacle seems to be an unfortunate strong tendency to recognize and maintain the territorial integrity of Iraq pursuant to the Administration’s declared policy at the beginning of the war.

In my opinion if large numbers of people are ready, able & willing to kill and/or die for such things as invisible, arbitrary boundaries, religious & political beliefs, ethnic differences and the oil resource, all such things must be “on the table.”

The Kurds want their own nation state in northern and eastern areas including Kirkuk. They are, I understand, the largest ethnic group without their own homeland nation state. That is a longstanding international problem which the UNITED STATES is in a good position to help correct. The Shia have a vested interest in the Southern Iraqi Holy Places and marshlands. The previous Sunni/Baathist government could be reinstated in the remaining central/western areas with strict requirements including prompt internationally supervised elections.

One reason to include the Arab League in the negotiations could be to endorse a possible federation with Iraq and Kuwait. The Oil Ministry could be given the mandate/responsibility to fairly distribute the oil resource. Or perhaps a new multinational entity could be created. This letter contains the essential elements of my proposal enough for the American people to consider. I hereby submit it and refer interested persons to my website www.robertmilnes.net I look forward to any/all responses. Sincerely, RWM.

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Robert Milnes is a candidate for the Libertarian Party’s 2008 presidential nomination. His campaign web site is located at www.robertmilnes4president2008.com. As a matter of course, Rational Review will publish, unedited, the submissions of libertarian presidential candidates. For more information, or for assistance, contact us at info@rationalreview.com.