The proxy files

So, why do you think the U.S. was dragged kicking and screaming into allowing Iraq to hold elections?

Now it emerges that there is a strong movement in southern Iraq for the establishment of autonomous Shi'ite provinces as a precursor to introducing vilayet-e-faqih (rule by the clergy) in the whole country.

A mini-Iran? Delightful.

Asia Times Online has learned that in a highly clandestine operation, the US has procured Pakistan-manufactured weapons, including rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, ammunition, rockets and other light weaponry. Consignments have been loaded in bulk onto US military cargo aircraft at Chaklala airbase in the past few weeks. The aircraft arrived from and departed for Iraq.

The US-armed and supported militias in the south will comprise former members of the Ba'ath Party, which has already split into three factions, only one of which is pro-Saddam Hussein. They would be expected to receive assistance from pro-US interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Accord.

The path is a tad convoluted, but all this fits in with my belief that the U.S. (and friends) are keen to foment Civil War in Iraq. The irony is it is much like Afghanistan in the early 80's. The outcome of that little bit of tomfoolery being a well armed and trained Taliban.

Meanwhile the on-agian, off-again Neo-con man in Iraq, Ahmad Chalabi, is still lurking.

A journalist's complete version, here.