Asia Times reports highly clandestine US operation to thwart Shia rule

[TexasLawyer]

Feb 15, 2005
US fights back against 'rule by clerics'
By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI -


<snip>


Now it emerges that there is a strong movement in southern Iraq for the establishment of autonomous Shi'ite provinces as a precursor to introducing vilayet-e-faqih (rule by the clergy) in the whole country. Of these calls for autonomy or federalism, the most disconcerting for US authorities is the call for religious rule. Already, leading Shi'ite clerics in Iraq are pushing for "Islam to be recognized as the guiding principle of the new constitution".

To head off this threat of a Shi'ite clergy-driven religious movement, the US has, according to Asia Times Online investigations, resolved to arm small militias backed by US troops and entrenched in the population to "nip the evil in the bud".

Asia Times Online has learned that in a highly clandestine operation, the US has procured Pakistan-manufactured weapons, including rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, ammunition, rockets and other light weaponry. Consignments have been loaded in bulk onto US military cargo aircraft at Chaklala airbase in the past few weeks. The aircraft arrived from and departed for Iraq.

The US-armed and supported militias in the south will comprise former members of the Ba'ath Party, which has already split into three factions, only one of which is pro-Saddam Hussein. They would be expected to receive assistance from pro-US interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Accord.

<snip>

The obvious reason for this tactic is to give the impression that the resistance acquired its arms and ammunition from different channels and from different countries - and anywhere other than the United States. Asia Times Online contacts said it is clear that Pakistan would not be the only country from which the US would have procured arms. And such arms could not be destined for the Iraqi security forces because US arms would be given to them.

For the Americans, the situation in southern Iraq has turned into a double-edged sword. Iraqis there fully embraced the elections - even if they had to be convinced by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to do so - and this participation was welcomed as a sign of democracy taking root in the country. But with Shi'ite religious parties emerging as the strongest power, no sooner were the elections over than voices were raised for the creation of an autonomous southern Iraqi region, and for vilayet-e-faqih .

<snip>

more, with scoop on Chalabi

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GB15Ak02.html

[KC21304]

1. This has to be satire, right ?

No, I guess not.

[TexasLawyer]

3. I wish it was satire!

If only the Bush administration had used electronic, unverifiable voting machines in Iraq! That way we could have blown off the will of the people in a much less messy way.

But at least this way, armed anti-Shia militias can act as a handy excuse to keep America in Iraq for much, much longer, and justify all those American military bases that we're building. The use of Paki-made arms will make Mushareff look more anti-American in the region, a perception that he might need in order to stave off more assassination and coup attempts.

Also, the challenge in Iraq to Shi'ite rule posed by the militias, and perhaps some US backed shoot-em-up militia incursions into Iran , might invite retaliation by Iran, which would be a great way for the US to justify going after Iranian nukes. Then the fun would really begin.

[BattyDem]

2. This is priceless ...

We attacked them for no reason, destroyed their country and killed at least 100,000 innocent people - all in the name of "Democracy" ... and when they finally get to vote, we decide to undermine their wishes by overthrowing their chosen leaders!

I don't want Iraq to be ruled by the clergy, but we can't overthrow their government again! Our new motto ... "We'll keep killing 'em until we get a leader we like!" :eyes:

So tell me ... how long do you think it will be before other Arab countries come to Iraq to drive us out? How long will it be before ANY country sets their sights on us? We've destabilized the entire region and the world isn't going to put up with our shit forever ... one of these days, we're getting hit. :scared:

[TexasLawyer]

4. This was one of the major reasons for NOT attacking Iraq

Shi'ite majority plus democracy equals Shia control, sharia law, and probable domination by neighboring Shi'ite Iran.

But the war protesters were merely a "focus group" which didn't need to be listened to. But I expect that Bushco saw this coming a mile away and welcomed it. Middle East instability gives them an entry point and a reason to stay and dominate the region for a long time.

[BattyDem]

5. Every expert on the Middle East warned Bushco about this ...

but of course, they didn't listen. They were going to be greeted with cheers and flowers, etc. Bushco always knows best! :eyes: