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Beware of Iraqis Bearing Gifts
(Ha'aretz) - Ze'ev Schiff It is best to be aware that the signals coming from leading Iraqi opposition members are not particularly sympathetic to Israel. Recently, I was approached by one of the leaders of the Iraqi opposition - at his initiative - who said "it would be best if Israeli leaders stay away from us and not seek contact with us. A connection with Israel could harm us." He added that, even when the war is over and the opposition takes power in Iraq, "it would be best to stay clear of us." Similar statements have been made by opposition leader Ahmed Chalabi, who said Israel had never been friendly to the Iraqi opposition, "so they shouldn't run after us when we are in power." That isn't exactly correct. Several key Jewish conservatives in the U.S. sponsored Chalabi, opening doors for him in that country. These messages are reminiscent of the Kuwaitis. During the months their country was occupied by Iraq, Kuwaiti leaders embraced American Jewish leaders and Israeli personages. After the war, when they were back in control of their country, they gradually turned their back on Israel.