http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54680-2005Jan6.htmlFriend of Bush Family Joins Pessimists
By Dana Priest and Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, January 7, 2005; Page A12
Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser for President George H.W. Bush and a leading figure in the U.S. foreign policy establishment, said yesterday that he has grown pessimistic about prospects for stability and democracy in Iraq, a view increasingly expressed by other foreign policy figures in both parties.
"The Iraqi elections, rather than turning out to be a promising turning point, have the great potential for deepening the conflict," Scowcroft said. He said he expects increased divisions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims after the Jan. 30 elections, when experts believe the government will be dominated by the majority Shiites.
Scowcroft predicted "an incipient civil war" would grip Iraq and said the best hope for pulling the country from chaos would be to turn the U.S. operation over to NATO or the United Nations -- which, he said, would not be so hostilely viewed by Iraqis.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the New America Foundation, a nonprofit public policy group, Scowcroft also said the continued U.S. presence in Iraq is inflaming the Middle East, hurting the U.S. war on terrorism. snip
Scowcroft, who has been close to the Bush family, has staked out an independent and critical stand on pivotal foreign policy issues facing the administration. Until recently he served as chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, but his tenure was not extended by the administration.
more
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
