Soldiers describe 'referee' duty keeping Sunni and Shia apart - Not sure its been taken advantage of

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U.S. troops watch for surge results

Wed, 27 Jun 2007

BAGHDAD, June 27 U.S. troops in Iraq said they find themselves serving as referees between Shiite and Sunni factions.

I think we have created an opportunity for the government of Iraq to establish some policies for reconciliation, U.S. Army Lt. Col. James Nickolas, a battalion commander in Iraq, told USA Today. I'm not sure that's been taken advantage of.

The so-called surge of U.S. forces in Iraq announced in January is complete, but U.S. officials are still waiting for the Shiite-dominated government to make concessions to the Sunnis, USA Today reported.

U.S. troops can provide security here now and defeat al-Qaida, but ultimately ... this is going to come down to political and diplomatic progress, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the second-in-command of U.S. troops in Iraq told USA Today.

Backing U.S. leaders can be treacherous for local leaders, USA Today noted. Six sheiks were killed this week when a suicide bomber set off his device in a Baghdad hotel during a meeting aimed at reconciliation.


http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/76949.html