powerclown

Startling read, chickenribs. Reading this article, I have to say I also came to a different conclusion than you. Also, I was unaware that Foreign Minister Zerbari was Kurdish, and a peshmerga fighter at that. A good start to the democratization process I would say - how's that for tolerance and diversity?

It is inevitable for the 2 countries to have relations, and anything that would contribute to further stabilization in the region is a good thing in my opinion. There is much bad blood between them, though. We saw the atrocities both sides committed upon eachother during the 8 year Iraq-Iran War (1 million dead), which included the use of chemical weapons. There is much damage to repair, on many levels, and I would have to believe that neither possess short memories.

For the countries of the West, as well as Israel, I see the developing relationship in a favorable light insofar as there is now, potentially, an intermediary ally (Iraq) in direct contact (and with growing influnce, no doubt) with a radical government (Iran) hostile to the West and Israel. The 'calming effect ' that a stable, moderate Iraq could have upon Iran holds much promise. The Iranian iron-fist fundies who rule without a public mandate could very easily find themselves suddenly quite unpopular, unwelcome and - eventually - out on their asses.

This is the single, most important line in the article in my opinion:
A clear, unequivocal strike directly at al-Qaeda, it's leadership, it's supporters and those countires sympathetic to them. Zerbari knows a terrorist when he see one, plus he's a tough son of a bitch if he had the blessing of Iyad Allawi. I hope this sets a precedent of complete and total intolerance for the meddling by violent, religious fanaticism in both countries, hell, in the entire Middle East. I hope this sets the agenda loud and clear to those elements - whom Zerbari mentioned by name - that there will be no tolerance for fundamentalist terrorism.

Great read.