Focus on Middle East, Ukraine Dominates at World Economic Forum

[Tsiyu]

By George Jahn Associated Press Writer
Published: Jan 30, 2005



DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) - Iraq as a magnet for terrorists and tensions generated by Iran's nuclear ambitions vied for the attention of policy makers at the World Economic Forum this weekend, turning the focus from poverty to violence in the Middle East at the annual gathering of business and political leaders.
Speaking on the eve of landmark elections that began in Iraq Sunday, the country's national security adviser assured world leaders that the Shiite party expected to dominate the vote will not seek to create a theocratic state, such as exists in neighboring Iran. He said elected Shiite leaders would also ensure minority Sunni Muslims a strong representation in any future government.

Mouwafak al-Rubaie, who is expected to play a leading role in the government that takes power after the election, also cautioned that any withdrawal of the 170,000 American and foreign troops before Iraqi forces are fully trained would be "a recipe for disaster."

There were also downbeat prospects on another Iraqi front Saturday, the second to last day of the five-day event that opened Wednesday with an appeal by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to reduce poverty in developing countries.

Bruce Hoffman, the head of the Rand Corp.'s Washington office and a senior international policy analyst, said the war in Iraq has become a rallying cry for Islamic militancy across the globe, and time is quickly running out to fix it.

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