Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Federalism debate delayed
Politics
Iraq's senior politicians from all parties were to meet today to discuss the draft legislation for a law to create a federal state put forward by the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution In Iraq (SCIRI), however, the debate was delayed again.
Following another day of violence in which 50 people were killed, with the U.N. and neighbouring countries warning that Iraq could slide into civil war and US commanders expecting an increase in violence by Al Qaeda and other militant groups ahead of the start of Ramadan, politicians turned on the Interior and Defence ministers, demanding to know what they are doing to control the situation.
'There is no evidence that shows that the Minister of Defence or the Minister of Interior are doing anything to stop this toll,' said Haider Al Abaadi, a member of the Shi'ite bloc that has a majority in the 275-seat chamber, suggesting fissures in the ruling coalition as Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki fails to halt violence.
