Word: sunni
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...There is a possibility of a division between the Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. I believe this would be more devastating than anything else in this area. This [Islamic fundamentalist] movement takes its direction from Tehran, and it is like a tidal wave. Eventually it will disappear. But what damage it can cause in this area! It could take many governments with it. It would really bring this area closer to what we see happening everywhere [violent upheaval], unless the majority of Arabs stand up and face...
...help keep the advancing Iranian forces at bay. If Iraq succumbs to Khomeini's aggression, it would probably become a Shi'ite-ruled Arab nation inclined to spread the Islamic revolutionary gospel throughout the Arabian peninsula, where sizable Shi'ite populations have long resented the clannish Sunni monarchies that rule them. The tiny island state of Bahrain, where 55% of the population are Shi'ites (some of Iranian origin), nearly fell victim last December to a Khomeini-inspired coup attempt...
...radio broadcast, Wazzan, a Sunni Muslim leader, called the continuing Israeli attacks "escalated blackmail that renders me unable to execute the duties of my office." His resignation, however, was not accepted. Walid Jumblatt, who served as a key conduit in the delicate negotiations involving the U.S., Israel and the P.L.O., announced his resignation at a news conference at which he stated that the Palestinians were ready for an honorable surrender but that Israel would not grant it. The Israelis, said Jumblatt, "just want to kill [the Palestinians] and the Lebanese with them...
...minority Hashemite dynasty of King Hussein. Having violently ousted the P.L.O. in 1971, Hussein had no desire to see his country invaded again by guerrillas fleeing Lebanon. Already there is an air of instability and rising tension in the country. The cause: the arrest of 60 anti-government Sunni fundamentalists. If any lasting agreement can be reached in Lebanon, Hussein might become a key man in efforts to work out a settlement for the Palestinians. His formula for solving the problem is to form a demilitarized state or entity on the West Bank that would be fed crated with Jordan...
...both military and Baathist party credentials. Among the candidates: Ahmed Hassan Bakr, former President of Iraq (1968-79), who shared power with Saddam Hussein for several years and was finally replaced by him in July 1979. Thus power would remain in the hands of the politically dominant Sunni Muslims. But as a gesture to Shi'ite Muslims, who make up 60% of the Iraqi population, as well as to Ayatullah Khomeini, the Muslim world's ranking Shi'ite, a prominent Shi'ite would become Prime Minister...