Eye on Iran as US shapes alliances in Iraq

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060126/wl_nm/iraq_iran_usa_dc_1

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U.S. officials say the efforts to "reach out" to Sunni Arabs are needed to undermine a violent insurgency they are waging and to foster a stable government.

But Shi'ite leaders brought to power by the U.S.-led invasion also see an attempt to clip their wings because of the influence over them of neighboring Shi'ite Iran.

"The Americans are focusing on the Sunnis and trying to get them into the political process even at the expense of others," said an official in the Shi'ite Alliance bloc, which won a near majority in the parliament elected last month.

"We've been talking a lot about this. The Americans are so focused on Sunni interests that their motivation goes beyond just promoting national unity."

The impression comes as U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad sits down at the negotiating table with rival groups jockeying for power in a coalition cabinet.