Word: stripping
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...Islamists such as Zarqawi, the campaign is a rejection of democracy per se, and a reiteration of his demand for clerical rule. But for the former Baathists, the strategic logic may be that keeping Sunnis out of the process would deny the new government legitimacy. Democracy in Iraq will strip the Sunni minority of its traditional elite status, and the insurgents may hope to further deepen their alienation from the new order so that they continue to serve as a social base for a long-term insurgency. Also, an election that brings the Shiites, many of whose leading parties...
...holding the election under the current volatile conditions carries its own risks. The insurgents' aim is to depress turnout in the Sunni areas and strip the election of broad legitimacy. About 15 million Iraqis are eligible to vote on election day, according to Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission. A commission official predicts about half will actually cast a ballot. That kind of turnout would be acceptable, but analysts are worried that the new legislature won't adequately reflect Iraq's ethnic composition. The assembly will select a new Prime Minister and President but, more important, will also draw...
...Palestinians, the election of Abbas as Palestinian President on Jan. 9 stirred hopes of a chance to revive the peace process. But the mood of optimism was shattered, at least temporarily, when Palestinian militants last Thursday killed six Israelis at a freight-crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip. In response, Sharon suspended contact with Abbas' Palestinian Authority and ruled out a meeting with the new Palestinian leader until Abbas punishes the perpetrators of the attack. And yet there is sufficient respect between the two leaders that it may be just a matter of time before they sit down...
...Palestinian officials, said he was "looking forward to meeting with you to discuss issues." Abbas responded that they would meet soon, "God willing." Four days later, the optimism was shattered, at least temporarily, when Palestinian militants killed six Israelis at a freight crossing point between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Sharon suspended ties with Abbas the next...
...Palestinian chief to rein in the terrorist groups. Sharon's bottom line for a return to peace talks is for Abbas to confront the Islamists of Hamas and the gunmen of the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and halt the rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip. The persistence of such attacks could jeopardize Sharon's plans to evacuate all Israeli settlers from Gaza as early as this summer, which is viewed by U.S. officials as a critical first step toward peace. "Abbas doesn't have 100 days of grace. He doesn't even have 100 seconds," says...