Letter the Bournemouth Echo - 18th Jan 05

Britain and the US are pushing their agenda for Iraqi elections while forgetting lessons of the past. Imposing a one size fits all solution on the Kurds, Shi'ites and Sunnis is fueling hostility between these three distinct groups that dominate a country, unfamiliar to democracy.

The Sunnis (Iraq's former ruling class) and the Kurds in the north, do not relish the idea of being ruled for the first time by the Shi'ites, who are in a majority and mostly based in the south. Britain failed to recognise this in 1918 and the Kurds have felt betrayed ever since.

Recognising these groups, makes the concept of a federation of states a real possibility. Some aspects such as defence and oil production could be run on a national level, but a degree of autonomy given to the three regions, would ease tensions and allow progress in one area, unhindered by possible difficulties in another.

Mr. Blair would do well to reflect on our history as well as America, where distinct regions have developed and local laws vary. Not to mention our previous overseas engagement in former Yugoslavia where failure to recognise the various groups led to war.

Our first mistake was to go into Iraq without UN approval. But we are about to make a second if we rush out, leaving behind a cobbled solution, likely
to lead to civil war.