Roberts says insurgency will continue, questions Iraqi democracy
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Iraqi insurgents are likely to continue attacks after elections, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said Friday. He also questioned whether American intervention can create democracy there.
Roberts, R-Kan., said he is concerned that majority Shiites, who make up 60 percent of the population, will dominate the new Iraqi government after Sunday's balloting and the new government will form an alliance with Iran, where Shiites also are in the majority.
The senator said he expects that insurgents "will not let up," particularly if Shiite turnout is high and Sunni turnout is low. Under former President Saddam Hussein, Sunnis dominated politics; Sunni insurgents are battling U.S. and Iraqi forces.
"I don't think you can lay down democracy in a country in rocky soil like so much Astroturf," Roberts said.
Roberts spoke to an audience of about 150 Kansas business leaders and legislators during a forum sponsored by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
"We are in for some very challenging times," Roberts said. "If we are not successful, what kind of message does that send to the insurgents? What kind of message does that send to al-Qaida?"
In a brief interview later, Roberts said: "I think the insurgency will continue in its murderous way to just completely put aside the election, more especially if the Shiites turn out 80 percent, which is I think is probably a fair number."
Roberts said he hopes the new government will be "pluralistic," but added, "It's possible, but not very probable."
Meanwhile, in speaking to the same audience, Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan., said he is not concerned about low turnout in Sunday's elections, adding that only a third of American colonists supported breaking away from England as the American Revolution began.
He said that although Iraq remains dangerous, Iraqis have freedoms that didn't exist when Saddam was in power.
Even Roberts said, "This is the first election they've ever had, so let's hope for the best."
But Roberts said Sunni turnout is likely to be depressed by threats of violence from the insurgents, and that troubles him.
"I don't want to see a situation where the Shia just completely dominates the situation and then joins at the hip with Iran, who is also Shia," he said. "Then you have a crescent of influence with two Muslim countries with Shia dominance that not would be in the best interest of the United States."
Roberts said he is concerned about an alliance because Iran has resisted democratic reforms.
