To U.S. Dismay, Iraq Favors Religious Rule

To U.S. Dismay, Iraq Favors Religious Rule

WASHINGTON -- Leaders of Iraqi religious groups have emerged as the country's most popular politicians.

They would win the largest share of votes if an election were held today, while the U.S.-backed government of the interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, is losing ground, according to a U.S.-financed poll by the International Republican Institute.

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Within the Bush administration, a victory by Iraqi religious groups is viewed as the worst-case scenario. Washington has hoped that Allawi and the current team, which was selected by U.S. and U.N. envoys, would win or do well in Iraq's first democratic election in January. U.S. officials think a secular government led by moderates is critical, in part, because the new government will oversee writing a new Iraqi constitution.

"The picture it paints is that, after all the blood and treasure we've spent and despite the (U.S.-led) occupation's democracy efforts, we're in a position now that the moderates would not win if an election were held today," said a U.S. official, who requested anonymity because the poll has not been released.

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