LONDON - Iraqis may have to wait up to 10 years before their country becomes a stable democracy, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.Despite a bloody insurgency against the Shiâite- and Kurdish-led government which has seen thousands killed, Straw said Iraq was âon trackâ to establish a democracy. âI am optimistic about Iraq, I think in 5 to 10 years we will see it becoming stable,â Straw said during a BBC television debate late on Wednesday. âI think if you compare nation-building in other situations: after the war in Europe, building up stable nations from the collapse of the Soviet Union, look at Afghanistan; I think that is a reasonable prospect.â
He said Januaryâs poll to elect an interim government and Saturdayâs referendum on a draft constitution were evidence of Iraq passing âmilestonesâ towards democracy.
Straw said Britain had no timetable for the withdrawal of its 8,500 troops in Iraq. âThere is no date set, but we all hope it can be completed in a matter of a very limited number of years,â he said. âI profoundly believe we have to see this through.â