Reply #10: Iraq Poll Won't End Violence, Say US, UK Officials

[leftchick]

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=982574&tw=wn_wire_story

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Violence in Iraq is unlikely to subside after Sunday's election and may well get worse before it gets better, U.S. and British officials say, a sentiment seconded by many Iraqis.

But the officials maintain the mainly Sunni Muslim insurgency against American and British troops and their Iraqi government allies is cracking and will be defeated in time.

In the run-up to Sunday's poll, expectations have been widespread for a spike in Iraq's regular fare of suicide bombs, mortar attacks and shootings.

Activity has indeed risen from 29 attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces countrywide last Saturday, to 45 Monday and 98 on Thursday. But the violence has been less dramatic than feared.