There are some good reasons for bringing Ba'athist back into the mix that are just pragmatic.

First, they know what they are doing. They have been involved in the nuts and bolts operation of the governemnt, like running sewage thratment plants, construction companies, etc.

Secondly, a large percentage are Sunni, and their being excluded sends an unspoken message that its okay to *punish* Sunnis. This could get out of hand and bring about yet another a wave of ethnic cleansing. If this happens you can kiss any chance of nation building goodbye...

Third. most never hurt or killed anyone. They're just foilks who understood the deal that if they were going to get a governemnt job they had better join the Ba'athist Party. Big deal. Same thing goes on in US...

Bobert