Ayatollah Sistani to shape Iraq future as Shia bloc win looms

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=64226

BAGHDAD, FEBRUARY 6: Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the black-turbaned cleric who was the architect of what appears to be a landslide victory by Shiite Muslims in last week’s landmark Iraqi elections, is now poised to shape the new government, including its choice of prime minister and the drafting of the country’s constitution.

Iraq’s senior most Shia cleric, Sistani has made it his chief cause to propel his community, long oppressed under Saddam Hussein, to the leadership of one of the West Asia’s most prominent countries. And he is on his way to succeeding: The slate he helped pick, the United Iraqi Alliance, appears to have won more than triple the votes of the next-highest slate, that of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shia.

‘‘What he wants is influence over the constitution-writing process,’’ said Mowaffak Rubaie, a prominent Shiite politician. ‘‘He wants to be sure it’s done right.’’ The electoral sweep gives Shias allied with Sistani a measure of power that they have not had in Iraq in centuries.

But for the US, their victory also raises the specter of an Islamic state with more ties and affinities to Iran than with any other country in the region.

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[LynnTheDem]

1. But for the US, their victory also raises the specter of an Islamic state

with more ties and affinities to Iran than with any other country in the region.

Oooh surprise. heh.

bush was told. Again & again & again; but as with everything, bush didn't bother to listen.

[Sandpiper]

2. No way will Bushco let this stand

They've invested too much money in Iraq to allow the Iraqis to screw things up.

[sushi]

3. What now?

Bush has turned a secular Iraq into an Islamic state tied to Iran!!! First he destroyed the historic country, and now this!!!

[VegasWolf]

4. Two words describing bush - Spectacular Failure. n/t

[dutchdoctor]

5. Remember Afghanistan?

We had this devout muslim fighting the commies with funding from the CIA. What's his name again, oh yeah, Osama Bin Laden. Now we call him a terrorist.
We better start coming up with a new name for Al Sistani that we can use when Sharia law is introduced in Iraq..

[Wright Patman]

6. In a chimp's way of analysis

this just means it is all that more important that the chimpire now extend its control, however tenuous, to Iran. That way, when Sistani seeks closer ties with Iran, he will actually be seeking closer ties with the U.S.

[Walt Starr]

7. Um, ... like... I FUCKING TOLD YOU SO!!!!

Dumbasses never believed a word the people here were against the war said. We were a "focus group". Yet, nearly every prediction about the long term consequences of invading Iraq has come to fruition.

:eyes:

Fucking arrogant bastards.