Sunni Arab govt's wary Iraq elections will bolster Iranian influence

[maddezmom]

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AFP) - Sunni Arab neighbours fear that elections in Iraq (news - web sites) will likely empower the Shiite majority there and bolster the influence of Shiite Iran in the region, officials said privately and publicly at an international conference on the country's future.

~snip~

They fear that a Shiite axis will span the border between Iraq and Iran, and are also concerned it could find support in Syria and in Lebanon, the latter home to the Iranian-backed Shiite Hezbollah militia.


"Such an axis will be profoundly anti-American in nature, will oppose peace negotiations with Israel and dispute the US vision for a democratic greater Middle East," the official warned.

~snip~

"This haste could backfire and Washington could reap the opposite of its wishes," the official added.


This has led some of Washington's traditional Arab allies -- particularly Arab Gulf countries who fear a rise in Shiite influence could threaten their stability -- to suggest that the date of the elections should not be set in stone.


more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041123/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_conference_vote&cid=1514&ncid=1480

[htuttle]

1. No way to avoid this

...Other than not invading in the first place.

Once the US destroyed the secular and Sunni power bases, the die was cast for Iran 2, the Sequel.

[maddezmom]

2. the only plan the US ever had was to "destabilize" the ME

while on the march to freedom and democracy :eyes: