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Iraq: "Messy for 5 to 10 years"

"Civil war is a more likely outcome in Iraq than democracy, Britain's outgoing ambassador in Baghdad has warned Tony Blair in a confidential memo.

William Patey, who left the Iraqi capital last week, also predicted the break-up of Iraq along ethnic lines.

He did also say that "the position is not hopeless" - but said it would be "messy" for five to 10 years."


This is no rebel or ratbag speaking. So, what does PM Howard say? Have the media asked him? Have the Opposition been heard on the subject? Deafening silence all round. Read the full report from the BBC News of the ambassador's thoughts here.

On the other side of the Atlantic the NY Times reports:

"The commander of American forces in the Middle East bluntly warned a Senate committee on Thursday that sectarian violence in Iraq, especially in the capital, Baghdad, had grown so severe that the nation could slide toward civil war."

Read that complete article here.

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