 Our
Paul Bremer?
Member of elite US team to help Iraq reconstruction
is half-Iranian
By Mahmoud Ghaffari
May 19, 2003
The Iranian
Several weeks ago we read "Terms
of engagement" written by Hume Horan, former U.S. Ambassador
to Saudi Arabia and a well renowned Arabist . I had intended to
introduce the man who had been behind carrying out many of the US
policies in the region with utmost fervor and zeal.
His story is fascinating and I am even more intrigued since he
is half Iranian and for so many years had kept himself, understandably,
out of the limelight of the Iranian Diaspora. But I think it is
time we take a serious look at his life’s accomplishments
and who he really is. After all he might one day be our Paul Bremer.
Speaking of Paul Bremer, Ambassador Horan is in tow with Ambassador
Bremer in Baghdad as we speak. He was chosen as one of the elite
members of Bremer’s team to help with the Iraq reconstruction.
In the outset he is responsible for establishing a tie with the
Shiites and convincing them that working with the coalition is in
the best interest of Iraq and Islam.
I have no doubt after having followed his ascendancy in the state
department for many years, that if any one can be our man in the
area, it would be Hume. There are several reasons for this. Hume,
is an Arabist, can speak Arabic better than most Arabs, understands
the true meaning of Islam, spent decades in the region establishing
contacts with many of the same groups he would undoubtedly come
into contact with.
This is the explanation that would satisfy most in the current
administration. But what gives Hume his ultimate legitimacy with
the people of Iraq is the fact that his father was a well-respected
Shiite.In fact what is not known in many circles is, like his father
before him, Hume is a respected Sufi and Dervish.
His father the late Abdullah Entezam, was the figure head of the
Okhovat council, or by another name the Safi Ali Shah Dervishes.
On his last visit to Iran in 1976, Hume was indoctrinated into this
Sufi organization. Although not practicing, he is still respected
and looked upon as a source of emulation among this fast dwindling
group.
Coupled with his family name, incidentally Hume’s Iranian
name is Seyyed Mohammad Entezam, Hume has the charisma to bring
together the polarized groups into the mainstream of a democratic
union in this war torn and Saddam ravaged country. For more information
on him you can refer to “The Arabists” by Robert D.
Kaplan or visit ghaffaris.com
and click on his image.
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Our
Paul Bremer?
