Divide Iraq into ethnic enclaves

Submitted by Harvey Fleetwood (United States), Mar 3, 2004 at 14:47

Please comment on the idea of dividing present day Iraq into three ethnic states, e.g. Suni, Shia, and Kurd. Encouraging the populations to emigrate to their preferred home land. Satisfy their demand for ownership of the Iraq oil by giving a 99 year lease to a foreign consortium, NOT Aramco, but like Aramco a combination of two or more foreign oil companies, such as B.P. and Royal Dutch with 52% of the stock, and each of the enclaves with 16% of the stock. This action would antagonize Turkey, Iran, and Syria. But nothing will silence these countries. Perhaps these three enclaves can work out a Federalized government after a few years of quietude. Maybe only Suni and Shia should be united and Kurds remain independent. But such a separation of antagonistic forces might bring the beginnings of peace to the middle east.

What say you?

Harvey Fleetwood

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".