Iraqi Politics Pose Dilemma for U.S.

[La_Serpiente]

Iraqi Politics Pose Dilemma for U.S.


By HAMZA HENDAWI

Associated Press Writer

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - As the United States considers changing its plan to bring stable government to Iraq, its quandary grows more acute: stick with proposals for an unelected assembly and risk a revolt by the Shiite majority, or cave to a Shiite ayatollah's demand for a direct vote and possibly alienate Kurdish and Sunni minorities.

A wrong move could ignite the already combustible political climate in a nation of competing ethnic and cultural groups, all eager to promote their conflicting agendas after more than three decades of totalitarian rule.

Caught in the middle are 130,000 American troops who have suffered 500 dead since the Iraq war began March 20. At stake is the future of Iraq and President Bush's administration.

The dilemma centers on the June 30 deadline for the formal end of the occupation and establishment of a sovereign Iraqi government. American forces will stay in Iraq but in fewer numbers. They will gradually hand security responsibilities to the Iraqis, thereby reducing the risk of American casualties as Bush campaigns for re-election.

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Iraqi Politics Pose Dilemma for U.S.

[mike1963]

1. Reminds me of "up shit creek without a paddle" although it really should

be "down" (we do get our expressions snafu'd at times, like "I could care less" is bass ackward too...)

;-)

[w4rma]

2. Unless you say "I couldN'T care less". ;-) (n/t)