'U.S. victory in Iraq boost moderates'

'U.S. victory in Iraq boost moderates'

SINGAPORE: The swift U.S.-led victory in Iraq has bolstered the position of moderate Muslims in Southeast Asia and set back the region's extremists, Singapore Trade Minister George Yeo said.

With the war over, the reaction of Southeast Asia's Muslims will now depend on how the United States handles the governance of Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Yeo said in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington released to media here Tuesday.

Before the war was launched last month, analysts had warned of a backlash from the region's more than 200 million Muslims, majority of whom are believed to hold moderate views.

They said the attack could anger Muslims worldwide, including those in the region, and drive moderates to join the radical minority calling for violence against the U.S. and its allies.

But the quick military victory has "brought about a better situation in Southeast Asia," said Yeo, whose country is one of Washington's staunchest allies in Asia. --AFP