Gates tells Iraq neighbors that it is in their interest for Iraq to succeed

Reuters/NY Times:

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates urged Middle Eastern states on Wednesday to help stabilize Iraq, warning them that chaos in the country would harm the region well before it hurts the United States.

Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Cairo, Gates said countries should set aside disputes over the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein.

``Whatever disagreements we might have had over how we got to this point in Iraq, the consequences of a failed state in Iraq, of chaos there, will adversely impact the security and prosperity of every nation in the Middle East and the Gulf region,'' he said.

``There may be some who, over resentment or disagreements over what happened in the past, might be cheering for failure. I would respectfully suggest that these sentiments are dangerously short-sighted and self-destructive,'' Gates added.

``The first and secondary effects of a collapse in Iraq -- with all of its economic, religious, security and geopolitical implications -- will be felt in capitals and communities of the Middle East well before they are felt in Washington and in New York.''

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Iraq's neighbors seem to lurch between shrugging their shoulders and mild concern over having a Shia dominated neighbor. The Saudis have recently forgiven most of Iraq's debt incurred by Saddam in his fight with Iran. A failure in Iraq could have profound effects on them and confront them with having to contend with an empowered Iran and Syria with an Iraqi vassal state.