Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sunni Arab leaders see al-Maliki's government as an obstacle to stability
Politics, Region
(Azzaman) - Arab leaders see Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government as an obstacle on the path of reconciliation and return of security, officials say. The officials, refusing to be named, said the leaders, who are to convene for a summit in Saudi Arabia on March 28-29 may not be able to come up with a unified stand regarding Iraq unless Maliki drastically changes tact and policies.
The prime minister apparently still enjoys the backing of Washington and so far U.S. leaders seem to be rather happy with the progress of their military operations to subdue Baghdad. But the sources said the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, were keen to alter the current balance of power in Baghdad which tilts towards Shiite factions.
The Shiite coalition has the largest bloc in parliament but cannot rule on its own as it lacks the necessary two-thirds majority. The fate of Maliki’s government depends on its alliance with Kurds who enjoy substantial autonomy in northern Iraq. But the Kurds are reported to be furious with Maliki’s policies and fear the current uncertainty and high levels of violence in most parts of the country might destabilize their relatively quiet enclave.
Saudi Arabia and Jordan, two key players in Iraq, are warming up to Kurds in a move designed to persuade them to give up their current alliance with Maliki. The Kurds joined Maliki’s government in the hope that the new government would normalize conditions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk by holding a referendum and forcing the Arabs who were brought there under former leader Saddam Hussein to leave.
But Maliki is reluctant to take such measures, angering his Kurdish allies. The officials said the recent visit by Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region, to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with King Abdullah was part of a Saudi campaign to further weaken Maliki. Barzani also visited Amman where he met King Abdullah of Jordan. Both countries are predominantly Sunnis and so are majority Kurds in Iraq. The official said Kurds would be ready to change alliances if guaranteed they will add Kirkuk to their semi-independent territory. But the opposition bloc in Iraqi parliament, mainly comprising Sunni MPs, is a strong opponent of relinquishing Kirkuk and its prolific oil fields to Kurds.
The prime minister apparently still enjoys the backing of Washington and so far U.S. leaders seem to be rather happy with the progress of their military operations to subdue Baghdad. But the sources said the Arabs, led by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, were keen to alter the current balance of power in Baghdad which tilts towards Shiite factions.
The Shiite coalition has the largest bloc in parliament but cannot rule on its own as it lacks the necessary two-thirds majority. The fate of Maliki’s government depends on its alliance with Kurds who enjoy substantial autonomy in northern Iraq. But the Kurds are reported to be furious with Maliki’s policies and fear the current uncertainty and high levels of violence in most parts of the country might destabilize their relatively quiet enclave.
Saudi Arabia and Jordan, two key players in Iraq, are warming up to Kurds in a move designed to persuade them to give up their current alliance with Maliki. The Kurds joined Maliki’s government in the hope that the new government would normalize conditions in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk by holding a referendum and forcing the Arabs who were brought there under former leader Saddam Hussein to leave.
But Maliki is reluctant to take such measures, angering his Kurdish allies. The officials said the recent visit by Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region, to Saudi Arabia and his meeting with King Abdullah was part of a Saudi campaign to further weaken Maliki. Barzani also visited Amman where he met King Abdullah of Jordan. Both countries are predominantly Sunnis and so are majority Kurds in Iraq. The official said Kurds would be ready to change alliances if guaranteed they will add Kirkuk to their semi-independent territory. But the opposition bloc in Iraqi parliament, mainly comprising Sunni MPs, is a strong opponent of relinquishing Kirkuk and its prolific oil fields to Kurds.
Labels: Jordan, Kurds, Massoud Barzani, Nouri Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabia
