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Middle East turmoil could cause world war: U.S. envoy
Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:57AM EDT

VIENNA (Reuters) - Upheaval in the Middle East and Islamic civilization could cause another world war, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was quoted as saying in an Austrian newspaper interview published on Monday.

Zalmay Khalilzad told the daily Die Presse the Middle East was now so disordered that it had the potential to inflame the world as Europe did during the first half of the 20th century.

"The (Middle East) is going through a very difficult transformation phase. That has strengthened extremism and creates a breeding ground for terrorism," he said in remarks translated by Reuters into English from the published German.

"Europe was just as dysfunctional for a while. And some of its wars became world wars. Now the problems of the Middle East and Islamic civilization have the same potential to engulf the world," he was quoted as saying.

Khalilzad, interviewed by Die Presse while attending a foreign policy seminar in the Austrian Alps, said the Islamic world would eventually join the international mainstream but this would take some time.

"They started late. They don't have a consensus on their concept. Some believe they should return to the time (6th-7th century) of the Prophet Mohammad," he was quoted as saying.

"It may take decades before some understand that they can remain Muslims and simultaneously join the modern world."

Khalilzad was also quoted as saying Iraq would need foreign forces for security for a long time to come.

"Iraq will not be in a position to stand on its own feet for a longer period," he said in the interview.

Asked whether that could be 10-20 years, he said: "Yes, indeed, it could last that long. What form the help takes will depend a lot on the Iraqis. Up to now there is no accord between Iraq and the United States about a longer military presence."

Khalilzad said the chaos in Iraq since U.S.-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein in 2003 was not unavoidable but arose from mistakes in the initial period of occupation.

"Historians are discussing now whether we should have sent more troops to Iraq to preserve law and order, if it was right to dissolve the Iraqi army, if we should have built an Iraqi government quicker, if there should have been such a sweeping de-Baathification program (removing Saddam-era officials)."

Middle East turmoil could cause world war: U.S. envoy (http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL2719552620070827?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true)

I don't think Zalmay Khalilzad, knows how right he is..........

The Bible tells us this will happen, and it will.  The Bible has always been correct, and always will be correct!!

The only comment I have is ....  Well duh!

That one is coming from behind  ...  This one is coming from the front and they still don't see it coming.

 :D :D :D :D

 ;D   ;D


I recognize that penguin - He's the same one who caused World War Zero. In case you want to know - that's the one right before World War One.

Is that the one where the temperatures felt warm at zero?

 ;D

All I remember is walking along, minding my own business, and a sneak attack from the rear.
________________________________

I was just thinking that I've laughed about those two penguins since they were first posted here, and I laugh every time I see them.  ;D

Is there something just a TINY BIT WARPED about this?   ;D

how many times have you told us you were a little bit warped. Well it has rubbed off on us brother... ;D ;D ;D

Speak for yourself, brother. I'm not warped, just a little out of kilter.

 ;D   ;D

I was just reflecting on how I was before I met you guys and spent some time with you. I was shy, withdrawn, and a perfect little angel. Anyone believing this - please holler at me about some prime swamp land near New Orleans. There is half of a house on the property that might need minor repairs from water damage. The top half of the house is almost in perfect condition.   ;D

Fishing in the area is excellent, and there are several almost natural boat ramps fairly close to the property.   ;D

(Small Print:  You don't have to leave the house to go fishing, and it isn't a house boat. Water rights on the property belong to the buyer.)

You said it brother, not me................... ;D ;D ;D

I on the other hand am, just as sane as the next person................. :D :D :D :D :D

That is the key words.   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Yes sir, Grandpa Yackalot. ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D

Yep, you taught me well.  :D :D :D

Who me??  Your older then I am brother. ;D ;D ;D ;D