In an About-Face, Sunnis Want U.S. to Remain in Iraq (to protect them from Shias)

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As sectarian violence soars, many Sunni Arab political and religious leaders once staunchly opposed to the American presence here are now saying they need American troops to protect them from the rampages of Shiite militias and Shiite-run government forces.

The pleas from the Sunni Arab leaders have been growing in intensity since an eruption of sectarian bloodletting in February, but they have reached a new pitch in recent days as Shiite militiamen have brazenly shot dead groups of Sunni civilians in broad daylight in Baghdad and other mixed areas of central Iraq.

The Sunnis also view the Americans as a “bulwark against Iranian actions here,” a senior American diplomat said. Sunni politicians have made their viewpoints known to the Americans through informal discussions in recent weeks.

The Sunni Arab leaders say they have no newfound love for the Americans. Many say they still sympathize with the insurgency and despise the Bush administration and the fact that the invasion has helped strengthen the power of neighboring Iran, which backs the ruling Shiite parties.

But the Sunni leaders have dropped demands for a quick withdrawal of American troops. Many now ask for little more than a timetable. A few Sunni leaders even say they want more American soldiers on the ground to help contain the widening chaos.

The new stance is one of the most significant shifts in attitude since the war began. It could influence White House plans for a reduction of the 134,000 troops here and help the Americans expand dialogue with elements of the insurgency. But the budding accommodation is already stirring a reaction among the Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of the population but were brutally ruled for decades by the Sunnis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/world/mi...t/17sunnis.html

[chri'stina 190]

Mr. Gupta reporting live from VJ News Network.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

hmmm another crash and burn.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

hmmm another crash and burn.

Well thanks for bringing it back to the first page.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

hmmm another crash and burn.

Well thanks for bringing it back to the first page.

did so on purpose. i'm waiting for the anti war bunch to address this story.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

hmmm another crash and burn.

Well thanks for bringing it back to the first page.

did so on purpose. i'm waiting for the anti war bunch to address this story.

In all fairness, the story doesn't quite favor the US. I mean, the fact that the Sunnis are scared of the Shia in Iraq doesn't exactly speak well for the US occupation. Instead of being able to leave, we may be sucked in even further if we start protecting these people from each other. Biden may be right when he suggests the 3-way partition of Iraq.

Edited July 18, 2006 by Gupt

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Can't they get along? They worship the same God.

[almaty 19]

hmmm another crash and burn.

Well thanks for bringing it back to the first page.

did so on purpose. i'm waiting for the anti war bunch to address this story.

In all fairness, the story doesn't quite favor the US. I mean, the fact that the Sunnis are scared of the Shia in Iraq doesn't exactly speak well for the US occupation. Instead of being able to leave, we may be sucked in even further if we start protecting these people from each other. Biden may be right when he suggests the 3-way partition of Iraq.

the sunnis are right thinking type of folks.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Can't they get along? They worship the same God.

So do the folks in Northern Ireland.

None of this is surprising really, considering that one group was a privileged minority under Saddam - thereby creating resentment and anger. Same story in Rwanda.

[Peter Miami 0]

Can't they get along? They worship the same God.

So do the folks in Northern Ireland.

None of this is surprising really, considering that one group was a privileged minority under Saddam - thereby creating resentment and anger. Same story in Rwanda.

Very true.