Iran triggering Shiite "backlash" in Iraq, US ambassador claims

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Iran can never conquer Iraq and is even stirring a Shiite "backlash" there by backing militias fighting the Iraqi government and US-led troops, the US ambassador to Baghdad said here Friday.

"The Iranians are not going to take over Iraq," Ambassador Ryan Crocker told reporters after his testimony this week before Congressman who voiced concern about Iran's influence, especially in recent fighting.

"And my sense is the harder they push the more resistance they encounter," Crocker said, referring to Shiite Muslim but non-Arab Iran.

His comments stood in sharp contrast to those Thursday from US President George W. Bush who lumped Iran with Sunni Al-Qaeda as "two of the greatest threats to America in this new century" and said both hoped for a US defeat in Iraq.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080411/pl_afp/usiraqpoliticsiran

[truth2power]

1. Sure...and we have no plans to attack Iran..

Guest on Diane Reim's show today (can't remember who) said no plans.

Yeah...and I have a bridge..


And what is "Sunni Al-Qaeda"?

[donkeyotay]

2. There goes my compassion for GWB project right out the effin window.

I don't get this Iran obsession, this spoiling for a fight. We attacked them and overthrew their democratically elected government. They have not attacked us. We keep pushing the world into the arms of radical Islam. I just don't get it. This has got to be a fight over stealing their resources. If we made nice with Iran, couldn't they become that democracy in the middle east we claim to want? If we worked with them, would not Iranians take care of their government in the long run? And the threat to Israel, seems to me that MAD is still in play, and I don't think Iran is suicidal.

On C-Span I saw a discussion about the latest polls in Israel showing 64% wanted Hamas to be dealt with (politically, not in a Tony Soprano kind of way). Even a majority of Likud wanted Hamas to be recognized. But not GWB and Rice. Oh no. We can't deal with terrists. Meanwhile the war on terror just keeps pushing populations to become more sympathetic to those who they see as their only defense, their only hope.

Personally, I think George and his incredibly stupid policies are going to have turned out to be "the greatest threats to America in this new century." No one has to figure out how to smuggle in WMD when they're multiplying in Washington.

[libodem]

3. And that's just what it is

a claim. F-ing liar! I wonder how many Iraqi's ran across the border to try and save themselves from the hell we have made their country. How many refuges to Syria, Jordan, Sweden? Hardly any to America you can bet on that. We installed the Shiite government. Ran off all the Sunni's and let Turkey bomb the Kurds. We got what we asked for. Brothers in Shiite religion, working together to fend off the invaders and occupiers, stealing the oil out from under them. That Ambassador, must think that Shell oil deserves all the oil in Iran, too. When are they going to come up with 'Al Qeida of Iran' and the next new reason to Shock and Awe somebody.

[struggle4progress]

4. Show you 'care' about Iraq, Crocker urges Arabs

WASHINGTON: The US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, on Friday urged Arab states to show they care about Iraq by sending ambassadors there and doing more to help revive a fellow Arab country.

Following his testimony to Congress about the situation in Iraq, Crocker told reporters he was returning to Baghdad through Saudi Arabia where he would press his argument for deeper Arab involvement in Iraq.

"I am here to tell you and come Monday, I will be there to tell them, that in fact you can run an embassy under current conditions," Crocker said after recounting working under rocket attacks in the fortified international zone ...

http://business.maktoob.com/News-20070423147825-Show_you_care_about_Iraq_Crocker_urges_Arabs.aspx

He makes it sound like so much fun for diplomatic community!

[annabanana]

5. This little tidbit should be at the TOP of the page! The Iraqis

are not interested in Iran dictating to them. The dreaded "Iranian influence" that the administration keeps pounding, trying to get us into another war, is MASSIVE BULLSHIT.