By Andrew L. Jaffee

It looks like Iraq’s transitional prime minister, Ibrahim Jaafari, has agreed to step aside, and allow a coalition government to be formed… finally. Kurdish and Sunni parties had objected to his leading of a new government — even some of his own Shiite supporters were growing reticent in their support. Whatever the politics, Iraq must now form a coalition government, and start taking the reigns of democratically elected power. From the BBC:

Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc, the Shia United Iraq Alliance (UIA), has nominated Jawad al-Maliki as its choice for the post of prime minister.

The decision came a day after the Shias’ first choice, Ibrahim Jaafari, agreed to step down.

Sunni and Kurdish parties had opposed Mr Jaafari’s candidacy. …

Disagreement over the new prime minister has held up the formation of a new government, months after elections. …

Sunni and Kurdish parties had objected to Mr Jaafari’s nomination in February, accusing him of failing to tackle growing sectarian violence.

While I respect the rights of the Shiites who took most seats in parliament in December’s elections, and recognize the fact that Shiites have shown great restraint in the face of almost daily terrorist attacks by Sunnis, the Shiites do not have enough votes to control Iraq’s parliament outright. Coalition building is one of the toughest political games to play in democracy, followed by holding a ruling coalition together.

Sine the U.S.-led Coalition toppled the megalomaniac Saddam, I’ve had the distinct impression that many Iraqis were in wait-and-see mode; waiting to see who will take charge and lead the country. Except it is only Iraqis themselves that can lead, and only if they put aside their old, sectarian, tribal habits. Welcome to a new world.

30,000 Iraqis, mostly Shiite, have been slaughtered by Iraq’s “insurgents.” More than 2,000 Coalition soldiers have given their lives for Iraqi democracy.

Wait-and-see mode is over. It is time for Iraqis to police their own streets, gather intelligence, rebuild infrastructure, and patrol the borders — themselves.

It is time Iraqis take full responsibility for their own nation as the primary players. Only by working together through parliament, and independent judiciary, and a free press will they establish a stable nation. It is time for Iraqi citizens to more and more turn in the terrorists in their midst to either Coalition or Iraqi forces.

I’m not advocating a premature withdrawal of Coalition forces. These brave souls should stay on to support and train the new Iraqi government. But it is time they transition from being the front-line guard against terrorists to playing a support, logistics, and training role.

It is because of the millions of Iraqis who have voted three times that I still hold hope for Iraq.

The Coalition has done the heavy lifting for 3 years. It is time for Iraqis to pick up the big jobs. And the U.S. needs to impose a timetable, not for withdrawal of troops, but specifying definitive milestones for Iraqis to meet in building a true democracy. Bush did a great job adhering to his original election schedule for Iraqi elections. I can see some logic in giving the parties time to form a coalition government. But that time has run out.

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Related: United States, Iraq, Peace Process

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