The Optimist Speaks

Kofi Annan had more profound words of wisdom today as he declared "But the violence, if it continues, will have an impact on the elections. Elections don't take place in a vacuum." Well, no thanks to Kofi, elections are going to place. Meanwhile, Amir Taheri has more interesting things to say regarding the election:
There is another reason why fears of a Shiite takerover are misplaced: New Iraq will be a federation that grants a large measure of autonomy to the Kurds, some 20 percentof the population. Outside the Kurdish areas, provincial government assemblies, also to be elected on Jan. 30, will have a good share of power making to ensure that the central government does not degenerate into an authoritarian system.
Another claim made by the doomsters is that the Arab Sunnis, some 15 percent of the population, may boycott. This has not happened: All the main Arab Sunni parties have entered the race. In fact, Arab Sunnis make up a disproportionate share of the 7,200 candidates.
This is a popular election, and the overwhelming majority of Iraqis want it to succeed.
The campaign is certain to be a hard-fought one. And the terrorist insurgent groups are also certain to continue doing all they can to prevent the Iraq people from going to the polls.
Next to the three weeks of fighting that led to the liberation of Iraq, the few weeks ahead will be the most decisive in shaping the future of the country, and the Middle East as a whole.