Sunnis Want U.S. to Remain in Iraq

New York Times, BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 16 "As sectarian violence soars, many Sunni Arab political and religious leaders once staunchly opposed to the American presence here are now saying they need American troops to protect them from the rampages of Shiite militias and Shiite-run government forces.

The pleas from the Sunni Arab leaders have been growing in intensity since an eruption of sectarian bloodletting in February, but they have reached a new pitch in recent days as Shiite militiamen have brazenly shot dead groups of Sunni civilians in broad daylight in Baghdad and other mixed areas of central Iraq.

The Sunnis also view the Americans as a 'bulwark against Iranian actions here,' a senior American diplomat said. Sunni politicians have made their viewpoints known to the Americans through informal discussions in recent weeks."

This is an amazing development. What does it mean? Two things.

First, after getting blown up while shopping, going to their mosques, and at their funerals, the Shia have decided to act in kind.

Second, the Iraqis are not familiar with democracy. They know only control by violence. Saddam Hussein was so nasty he could keep the Iraqis from killing each other.

Democracy demands a sophistication. It "took" in Poland after the fall of Soviet Russia. It "took" in Russia, at first, but now they are sliding back into totalitarianism.

The lure of absolute power is undeniable. It takes a mighty big person, like George Washington, to resist the temptation to become a king, or a dictator, especially when the people are demanding you do it. It takes mighty big people to resist vendettas and orgies of revenge.

We cannot impose democracy on Iraq. We’ve given them the chance for it. We can advise them, if they are willing to listen. This is all we can do.

The Chinese say, “May you live in interesting times.” I guess we’re lucky.

This Post's Technorati Tags: editorial, opinion, news, Shia, Sunni, war, democracy, Iraq, totalitarianism, truth