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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraqi Vice President warns of civil war if US troops leave |
| 2005-02-01 |
| Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim Jaafari, a senior Shiite leader, has warned that a civil war could erupt if US troops leave the country. Mr Jaafari, considered a candidate for the post of prime minister in the government that emerges from Sunday's historic elections, said there were too many dangers for Iraq to set a date on US-led foreign troops leaving. "Despite their presence here in Iraq, terrorism exists," Mr Jaafari told AFP. "Can you imagine what will happen if we ask them to leave? This could mean the beginning of a civil war." He added: "We are trying our best not to have a civil war but if the multinational forces leave now, certainly there will be more and more assassinations, bombings and victims." Mr Jaafari is head of the Hezb al-Dawa al-Islamiyya (Islamic Call Party), part of the fundamentalist United Iraqi Alliance that was supported in the election by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites. Mr Jaafari said the new government had to embrace Sunni Muslims even though many parties rejected the elections and the Sunni turnout was low in many areas. "It is true some Sunni powers boycotted the elections, but they did so without killing anyone or threatening anyone. Everybody is welcome and this is democracy. "We cannot fly with one wing. We have to reach out to them and accommodate them," said Mr Jaafari, who added he would be ready to take over from Iyad Allawi as prime minister if asked. "There must be a kind of balance between the three main posts: the president, the prime minister and the head of the parliament. "The next prime minister will probably be a Shiite, while the president and the head of the parliament are a Sunni and a Kurd," respectively. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #3 Yawer, the Sunni Prez, also said US troops should stay. OTOH everyone also knows that the "in your face" presence of US troops creates ill feeling - not only among Sunnis, but among many Shiites. But sending US troops out of country leaves the risk that the insurgents attack, and the few adequately trained and efficient govt forces are overwhelmed - and no political will to put US troops BACK after their out - think Saigon, 1975. The Shiite leaders are scared shitless of that happening, IIUC. The solution, is to steadly pull US troops back to bases, and let Iraqi troops do all the patrols. Let them sink or swim to a greater degree than we've done lately - they performed well on election day, now that they had something to fight for, new their work was essential. Problem is that it will be easier to do this in the Shiite zones, while coalition troops will be still be needed in the triangle - Sunnis may complain why do the Shias get the Iraqi troops and the US withdrawl first - I dont think Sistanic will take these complaints too literally. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2005-02-01 11:35:10 AM |
| #2 Well, Nancy and Harry at least backed off a "timetable" demand yesterday. Heh. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-02-01 11:32:42 AM |
| #1 hey John, Ted and Barbara...how are you going to call for "an end to the occupation" now? Bummer. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-02-01 11:28:40 AM |