Britain seeks speedy formation of Iraq government

By Staff
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BAGHDAD, Mar 18 (Reuters) Britain's defence minister warned today that further delays in forming an Iraqi government would allow insurgents to capitalise on the impasse and boost their campaign to destabilise the country.

''Terrorists love a vacuum,'' John Reid told reporters before holding a series of talks with Iraq's political leaders.

But Reid said moving too quickly could backfire in Iraq, a country where every political move risks fuelling sectarian tensions that have pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war.

''It is no good rushing and getting the wrong type of government,'' he said.

''As the weeks pass and the months pass we have found from all other areas in the world, including in our own case in Northern Ireland, that a political vacuum allows people of malevolent intent, and people who would use violence and terrorism, opportunities to step into that vacuum,'' Reid said.

Iraqi leaders who said December parliamentary elections would promote stability have yet to form a government three months later and the political paralysis has delayed efforts to tackle a Sunni Arab insurgency.

The struggle to form a balanced government that could avert civil war are set against relentless sectarian bloodshed. More than 100 bodies of apparent sectarian killings were found in Baghdad alone last week.

Sunni Arabs, the community from which the insurgency draws its support, have accused the Shi'ite-led government of sanctioning death squads, a charge it denies.

Asked how far Britain was prepared to go to pressure the Iraqi government to improve its human rights record, Reid said a realistic view must be taken on the sensitive issue.

He said no comparisons should be made between what he said may be isolated cases of abuses in post-war Iraq and oppression under Saddam Hussein's regime.

''The world does not change overnight from one of deep barbaric depravity as it was under the time of Saddam to one of perfect, spotless human rights,'' said Reid.

''Under Saddam human rights breaches were covered up by the system and the state in every instance. Now they are exposed.'' The government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has repeatedly said it would take a tough stand and investigate human rights abuses but many Iraqis are sceptical.

British troops in southern Iraq have cracked down on rogue policemen in Basra who are accused of murder, corruption and following their own political and financial agendas.

REUTERS DKS PM1447

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