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From The Times
January 3, 2007

Iraq solutions

Sir, The Shia majority in the south of Iraq should be supported in its wish for separation from Sunni Iraq, regardless of the fact that they happen to live in the part of the country that has a huge amount of oil as well as the maritime gateway for exporting it. British troops also just happen to be stationed there.

Iraq’s next door neighbour, Iran, should be supported by the UK in its desire for nuclear energy, to stabilise an otherwise maverick state and reduce its meddling in the sector of Iraq for which we are responsible. Blair could wrap this peace deal up before he leaves office, and secure an oil-rich Britain for another generation.

You may think this a fanciful prediction, and so it is if Blair continues to be blind to our national interests. The spiralling chaos in Iraq looks ever more likely to lead to the break-up of the country anyway, and the policy of both Russia and China towards Iran will disable any effective UN sanctions.

Your leading article of Jan 1 read: “The transitions this year should be treated as opportunities”: I dare our decision-makers to take advantage of them.

CHARLES FIDDES PAYNE
Watford

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