Monday, March 20, 2006
Iraqi RhetIraq: Iyad Allawi
Who: Iyad Allawi, former Prime Minister of Iraq
Source: BBC
Quotes: From article titled, "Iraq in civil war, says former PM"
Mr Allawi heads the Iraqi National List, a secular nationalist alliance made up of Sunnis and Shias.
Speaking on BBC TV's Sunday AM programme, he said it would be a mistake to underplay Iraq's problems, although the country was "edging towards" a political deal.
He said he had warned against creating a vacuum in the country and raised concerns about the insurgents and the dismantling of the military.
"It is unfortunate that we are in civil war. We are losing each day as an average 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more.
"If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is."
Mr Allawi added that a national unity government may not be "an immediate solution" to the country's problems.
Iraq is moving towards the "point of no return", he said, when the country would fragment.
"It will not only fall apart but sectarianism will spread throughout the region, and even Europe and the US will not be spared the violence that results...," he said.
Source: BBC
Quotes: From article titled, "Iraq in civil war, says former PM"
Mr Allawi heads the Iraqi National List, a secular nationalist alliance made up of Sunnis and Shias.
Speaking on BBC TV's Sunday AM programme, he said it would be a mistake to underplay Iraq's problems, although the country was "edging towards" a political deal.
He said he had warned against creating a vacuum in the country and raised concerns about the insurgents and the dismantling of the military.
"It is unfortunate that we are in civil war. We are losing each day as an average 50 to 60 people throughout the country, if not more.
"If this is not civil war, then God knows what civil war is."
Mr Allawi added that a national unity government may not be "an immediate solution" to the country's problems.
Iraq is moving towards the "point of no return", he said, when the country would fragment.
"It will not only fall apart but sectarianism will spread throughout the region, and even Europe and the US will not be spared the violence that results...," he said.
