Divided over partitioning Iraq

Re “The perils of partition,” editorial, Feb. 5

There are merits and demerits with the concept of the partitioning of Iraq. However, The Times’ bald statement, “First and more important, the Iraqis do not want it,” seems mainly to be wishful thinking. The Times should be editorializing that first and foremost, the Iraqis want the security needed to permit normal living with good jobs and a stable, efficient infrastructure.

Sunni and Shiite migrations in Iraq may be more useful in leading to the end of the war than all of the political planning and military action by the Iraqi government and the Bush administration. It has become evident that the United States has been unable to impose peace and stability in Iraq.

MARC JACOBSON

Los Angeles

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Thank you for bringing up the topic of partitioning Iraq and pointing out the pitfalls. You name three of them: Iraqis don’t want it, Baghdad would be hard to divide, and it wouldn’t quell sectarian violence.

But are we positive that Iraqis don’t want it? Surely the Kurds wouldn’t object. And, as your editorial suggests, the division of Baghdad isn’t a U.S. issue. Isn’t Baghdad dividing itself? The Shiite-on-Shiite violence is a tough issue, but would not the best intervention come from Shiite authorities from outside Iraq? That is unlikely to happen until a partition takes place.

Yes, a “soft” partition of Iraq is lousy and may Balkanize the country, but at this juncture it may be the least invasive option that may yield some internal and regional stability. Surely it is worthy of more consideration and debate. It sounds better than a surge.

FRANK E. ROBERTS

Lake Havasu, Ariz.

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When will the U.S. ever learn that the more we interfere in the sovereignty of foreign countries, the worse we make it for the innocent victims of our aggression? We should have learned lessons from Vietnam, Kosovo and now Iraq.

I worry about American lives, but the untold misery that our intervention has caused far outweighs the animosity between different factions of the regions. The factions may not love each other, but our intervention has exacerbated their outright aggression toward one another. And now, the proposed ridiculous idea of partitioning Iraq? That would lead to more hostilities and suffering of innocent civilians.

As an American, I am really tired of having a government that is hated throughout the world.

STUART LUBIN

Los Angeles