"The Middle East crisis and the unstable situation in Iraq creates fertile soil for terrorist and Islamic extremist activities," Vladimir Akhmedov said. "After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq turned into a source of terrorism producing radical nationalist militants and terrorists, including those who conduct operations throughout the Middle East."
According to Akhmedov, the situation in Iraq and the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be key issues on the agenda at the Arab League summit in Sharm al-Sheikh (Egypt) scheduled for August 11.
He said the Iraqi president was holding talks with the leaders of Iraqi political parties and movements in an effort to resolve the remaining disagreements on the draft of the Iraqi Constitution. The draft must be ready by August 15 and submitted for a public referendum on October 15, 2005.
"At the end of 2006, George Bush will be under constantly growing pressure, nearing presidential elections in the United States," Akhmedov said. "The U.S. presence in Iraq and casualties suffered by Americans during the ongoing war in Iraq could become a trump card in the hands of Democrats in the presidential race. Therefore, it is highly probable that at the end of 2006 or even earlier, the Bush administration will attempt to withdraw its troops from Iraq." He added that it might simply be a re-deployment of U.S. forces.
"The Americans will not want to leave the region; therefore, they are simply going to withdraw the troops to nearby military bases, for instance, those located in Central Asia and the Trans-Caucasus," the expert said. The coalition forces could be replaced with a joint military contingent from Arab countries.
"It is not a new idea. It has been discussed but never developed. Now, with Saudi King Fahd's death, it might be given another shot. New Saudi King Abdullah is considered to be a more ardent defender of Arab interests. The involvement of Saudi Arabia with its vast financial resources could give a new boost to this idea," Akhmedov said.
