The hothouse experiment in Middle East democracy is wilting on the vine, says Salah Hemeid United States Vice-President Joe Biden, the recent butt of General Stanley McChrystal's loose tongue, put on a brave face and jumped back into the Middle East snake pit, travelling to Iraq to celebrate Independence Day and urge Iraqi leaders to form a government as soon as possible. But his visit did nothing to bring calm to the political turmoil. On the contrary, he was greeted by barrages of mortar rockets landing in Baghdad's Green Zone on Sunday night, adding to the 4 July fireworks there, as Biden hosted a reception at the residence of the American ambassador in the fortified area amid Iraqi government offices. Biden travelled to Iraq to brace its leaders for the end of the US combat mission in their country, set for 31 August and to press rival political groups to end bickering over forming a new government following 7 March inconclusive elections. "Welcome to peace and democracy," Biden told the Iraqi leaders who came to hob- knob with US diplomats and army officers celebrating America's national holiday. Recalling US history Biden reminded the Iraqis that the United States had such a fractious start 234 years ago and drew a bizarre analogy to the signers of the US Declaration of Independence. "When they signed that declaration, many of them did not even like one another," Biden said. "The concept of subordinating your individual interest is fundamental to the success of any nation... So my plea to you is, finish what you started -- a truly legitimate and representative government that meets the needs and aspirations of all Iraqi people." Biden's visit came amid failure of the Iraqi leaders to form a new government and daily violence as the US withdraws large numbers of troops in line with the Obama administration's declared policy of leaving Iraq by the end of next year. There are 77,500 troops in Iraq and even with the end of combat operations, some 50,000 troops are expected to remain in Iraq to train and advise the Iraqi military, and assist with counter-terrorism operations. Although US officials say there is no link between the scheduled drawdown of the US troops, the rise in violence and unending negotiations to form a new government, the political stalemate could be worrying to Washington. Earlier Sunday, a woman blew herself up in Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar Province, detonating explosives hidden under her clothes. The explosion went off in a waiting room next to the provincial governor's office, killing four people and wounding 23 others. The attack comes amid a surge in violence which in past weeks has swept the province of Anbar, shattering a long period of relative calm in what is boasted by the Americans as the best example of the success of their surge policy to combat Al-Qaeda and the Sunni insurgency. In the northern city of Mosul, a suicide bomber killed two policemen when he detonated an explosives belt as he was fired upon by officers near a central police station. And in the northern oil hub of Kirkuk, a suicide bomber in a car set off his payload outside the government building, wounding nine people including an official. The attacks in Ramadi and Mosul underscored persistent fears that insurgents will exploit Iraq's political uncertainty to stoke widespread sectarian violence. After his arrival Biden met with former prime minister Iyad Allawi and Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, who are vying for Iraq's top job. On Monday Biden met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and leader of the Shia Iraqi National Alliance, Ammar Al-Hakim. Biden pressed both Allawi and Al-Maliki to join forces and lead efforts to set up the new government. Allawi's Iraqiya bloc won the most seats in parliament in the March elections, with a razor-thin lead over Al-Maliki's State of the Law bloc. He knows his mission requires a delicate diplomatic dance. He did not speak about specifics and dismissed accusations that he was interfering in Iraq's internal affairs. "You should not, and I'm sure you will not, let any state, from the United States to any state in the region, dictate what will become of you all," Biden said in his reception remarks. Yet even before Biden flew to Baghdad rumours were rife that he was coming with a stern warning to Iraq's wrangling leaders and concrete proposals to end the crisis as the crucial 14 July deadline to name Iraq's new leadership approaches. Allawi who called the discussion "frank and constructive" insisted Biden "did not bring specific proposals" and "urged all inclusive government." Al-Maliki spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh said Biden warned the prime minister in their 90-minute meeting that delays in forming the government "will bring crisis in Iraq, and the political alliances should make an effort to avoid this crisis." Iraq's new parliament convened on 13 June and the country's constitution stipulates that the president of the republic should be selected within 30 days of the convocation of the first session. According to the constitution the elected president should in turn name a prime minister who should submit his cabinet within 30 days for ratification. Some reports suggested that Biden had proposed that Allawi and Al-Maliki, whose two blocs have a majority of 180 seats in the 322- member legislature, form a strong government coalition that will drive the other Shia group and the Kurdish coalition into the opposition. Other reports said Biden had suggested that Allawi, Al-Maliki and Kurds share the three main posts of the president, prime minister and speaker of the parliament with a cabinet of technocrats and experts that will administrate the government. Both unconfirmed suggestions, however, do not address the main sticking point of who will be the next prime minister as both Allawi and Al-Maliki still insist that they should take the post. They also ignore the fundamental principle of national consensus which has constructed the nation's political process since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Whatever the US strategy to deal with Iraq's government crisis Biden's visit to Iraq came under fire by those who believe that Washington is meddling in Iraq's politics. Leaders of the other Shia bloc, Al-Hakim-led the Iraqi National Alliance, voiced concern about Biden's discussion. Sadreddin Al-Qubanchi, Al-Hakim's close ally said: "Biden's visit should in no way undermine the will of the Iraqi people." Al-Qubanchi's remarks reflect fears that the newly formed Shia National Coalition (State of Law and Iraqi National Alliance) will collapse if Allawi and Al-Maliki reach an understanding over the government. Anti-America Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr said he will not accept "a dictator, a Baathist or an American-backed [person]" to be Iraq's next prime minister, a reference to both Allawi and Al-Maliki. Hundreds of Al-Sadr followers surged into the streets in Najaf protesting against Biden's visit. They carried placards emblazoned, "No to American interference in Iraq's affairs!" The protests were a clear message of how difficult it will be for America's sheepdog to nip his charges into line before leaving them to their fate.
