Article: SHIITE CLERGY TO WIELD POWER.(News)

Byline: Robert Reid Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Despite assurances they will stay out of politics, Iraq's powerful Shiite Muslim clergy is likely to wield considerable influence in the shaping of the new Iraq now that a Shiite-dominated ticket is poised for victory in last week's national election.

The only question seems whether the Shiite clergy will move slowly in pursuing its agenda in the interest of national reconciliation, especially with disaffected Sunni Muslims whose fears of Shiite-domination are about to come true. Sunnis form the core of the anti-American insurgency.

Final results from the Jan. 30 balloting are not expected ...

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