Shiite Clerics Debate Iraq's Future Government
(2003-08-26) -- Shiite clerics in Iraq are locked in a vigorous debate about what kind of government will rule this nation where Shiite Muslims constitute a majority.

Young radical clerics push for the rapid, violent formation a militant Islamic dictatorship that sends out devotees on suicide missions against Americans and Israelis.

However, the older established ayatollahs insist that a democratically-elected government would be dominated by Shiites anyway, and could quietly sponsor terror strikes while outwardly maintaining friendly diplomatic relations with the United States.

"It's a cultural struggle for the soul of Islam," said an unnamed ayatollah. "Should we be terrorists, or just covertly fund terrorists? I'm praying that the moderates in the debate will prevail. We should avoid extremes and simply do a little of each."