Thursday, September 20, 2007
INL members go independent
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi National List's (INL) members of parliament Safiyah al-Sehil and Hachem al-Hassani announced their withdrawal from the secular list, which is led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, saying they will sit as independents in the Iraqi parliament. "We announce our defection from the INL and we will sit as independents in the parliament," the two parliamentarians said in a joint news conference before the session of the parliament.
When asked about the reasons behind his decision, al-Hassani told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) that divisions within the secular list over the decision-making process resulted in a complete lack of harmony between some of its members.
Al-Hassani was the former speaker of Iraq's Transitional National Assembly, the first Iraqi parliament formed after the 2005 elections. He was also a leading member in the Iraqi Islamic Party and was appointed as the minister of industry in Allawi's interim government. During the second legislative elections in 2005, al-Hassani joined the secular alliance led by Allawi, which includes many political parties of different ethnic affiliation.
Meanwhile, al-Sehil said that the list's deviation from the moderate and liberal line and its adoption of a "national Baathist line" led some of its senior members to consider reform. "We have tried to bring in reforms and rectify the path of the INL, but we unfortunately failed," al-Sehil said. After the defections of the two parliamentarians the INL now has 22 seats in the 275-member parliament.
When asked about the reasons behind his decision, al-Hassani told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) that divisions within the secular list over the decision-making process resulted in a complete lack of harmony between some of its members.
Al-Hassani was the former speaker of Iraq's Transitional National Assembly, the first Iraqi parliament formed after the 2005 elections. He was also a leading member in the Iraqi Islamic Party and was appointed as the minister of industry in Allawi's interim government. During the second legislative elections in 2005, al-Hassani joined the secular alliance led by Allawi, which includes many political parties of different ethnic affiliation.
Meanwhile, al-Sehil said that the list's deviation from the moderate and liberal line and its adoption of a "national Baathist line" led some of its senior members to consider reform. "We have tried to bring in reforms and rectify the path of the INL, but we unfortunately failed," al-Sehil said. After the defections of the two parliamentarians the INL now has 22 seats in the 275-member parliament.
Labels: Hachem al-Hassani, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, Safiyah al-Sehil
Monday, September 10, 2007
Kurdish Coalition deny contact with Baathists
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Two members of the Kurdistan Coalition (KC) denied on Sunday having any contacts with Baathists, adding some Kurdish politicians have met with members of the former ruling party in their personal capacity not as KC members. "There are no contacts between the KC and the Baathists and the information reported about that was not true," Friad Rawndozi, the official spokesman for the KC, the second largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament with 55 out of a total 275 seats, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
Earlier on Sunday a prominent member of former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List (INL) said that the KC was making contacts with Baathists, noting Allawi "was not the only one making these contacts. Everyone is denying contacts with Baathists, but there are dialogues grouping together members of the Baath Party and more than one political bloc," Nejefi told VOI by telephone.
Rawndozi indicated that "Jalal Talabani has met armed factions that have links with the dissolved Baath Party but in his capacity as president of Iraq." On Saturday, Iyad Jamal al-Din, an INL member of parliament, said he mediated between U.S. officials and Baathists belonging to former Iraqi vice president Ezzat al-Dori to boost the political process. "They were several meetings that took place inside and outside Iraq," Jamal al-Din told VOI.
He said the meetings "were convened in Arab countries." He declined to name those Arab countries or say when those meetings were held. "The meetings or negotiations were not meant against the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. On the contrary, they were supporting it and would be of benefit to the country's political process," Jamal al-Din said.
He pointed out that the Baathists, or members of the former ruling Baath (Resurrection) Party, "objected the law on debaathification and the Americans spoke to them about means to push forward the political process."
Allawi had said he met secretly with representatives from the dissolved party's Ezzat al-Dori wing with the aim of arranging their return to Iraq and participation in the political process.
"The dialogue has taken place upon the request of the United States, which was represented by high-ranking officials in those meetings. The discussions focused on how to merge the Baath Party members into the political process," Allawi said in a televised interview by the all-news Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite channel.
Earlier on Sunday a prominent member of former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List (INL) said that the KC was making contacts with Baathists, noting Allawi "was not the only one making these contacts. Everyone is denying contacts with Baathists, but there are dialogues grouping together members of the Baath Party and more than one political bloc," Nejefi told VOI by telephone.
Rawndozi indicated that "Jalal Talabani has met armed factions that have links with the dissolved Baath Party but in his capacity as president of Iraq." On Saturday, Iyad Jamal al-Din, an INL member of parliament, said he mediated between U.S. officials and Baathists belonging to former Iraqi vice president Ezzat al-Dori to boost the political process. "They were several meetings that took place inside and outside Iraq," Jamal al-Din told VOI.
He said the meetings "were convened in Arab countries." He declined to name those Arab countries or say when those meetings were held. "The meetings or negotiations were not meant against the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. On the contrary, they were supporting it and would be of benefit to the country's political process," Jamal al-Din said.
He pointed out that the Baathists, or members of the former ruling Baath (Resurrection) Party, "objected the law on debaathification and the Americans spoke to them about means to push forward the political process."
Allawi had said he met secretly with representatives from the dissolved party's Ezzat al-Dori wing with the aim of arranging their return to Iraq and participation in the political process.
"The dialogue has taken place upon the request of the United States, which was represented by high-ranking officials in those meetings. The discussions focused on how to merge the Baath Party members into the political process," Allawi said in a televised interview by the all-news Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite channel.
Labels: Baathists, Ezzat al-Dori, Friad Rawndozi, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, Iyad Jamal al-Din, Kurdistan Coalition
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Al-Maliki to finalise nomination of new ministers
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Monday that he would finalize nominating ministers instead of the ministers of Sadrist bloc and Iraqi National List (INL), who withdrew from the government, while he did not replace the ministers of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front hoping that they would return to the cabinet.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, the premier said that "we waited for enough time and gave enough chances for all of those who walked away. I will wait for resumption of the parliament's sessions on Tuesday and within a week a list of names nominated for the vacant portfolios will be ready after consultations with other blocs and partners in the political process and then I will submit the list to the parliament," he also said.
The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) announced last month its withdrawal from the government and the resignation of five ministers in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zawbaie. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List (INL) also withdrew from the government on August 24. The INL portfolios included justice, communications, science and technology, human rights and a minister of state. The government consists of 37 ministers, including six state ministers.
The prime minister said that he finished only naming ministers instead of the Sadrist bloc's ministers. He said that he hoped the ministers of the IAF would return once again to the government, denying that he asked any bloc to nominate names instead of the IAF's ministers.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, the premier said that "we waited for enough time and gave enough chances for all of those who walked away. I will wait for resumption of the parliament's sessions on Tuesday and within a week a list of names nominated for the vacant portfolios will be ready after consultations with other blocs and partners in the political process and then I will submit the list to the parliament," he also said.
The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) announced last month its withdrawal from the government and the resignation of five ministers in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zawbaie. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List (INL) also withdrew from the government on August 24. The INL portfolios included justice, communications, science and technology, human rights and a minister of state. The government consists of 37 ministers, including six state ministers.
The prime minister said that he finished only naming ministers instead of the Sadrist bloc's ministers. He said that he hoped the ministers of the IAF would return once again to the government, denying that he asked any bloc to nominate names instead of the IAF's ministers.
Labels: Iraqi Acc, Iraqi National List, Nouri Al-Maliki, Sadrist bloc
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Allawi's party to attend summit if officially invited
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - The Iraqi National List (INL) said on Wednesday that it would accept the demands of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the President of the Kurdistan region Massoud Barazani to take part in the political leaders’ meetings only if it receives an official invitation. “We are ready to participate in the meetings if we receive an official invitation from the government,” INL member of parliament Iyad Jamal el-Din told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) on Wednesday.
“We appreciate the positions of President Talabani and Barazani and their calls for the importance of the INL’s participation in the summit because of its political and ethical weight in the Iraqi political arena,” he added. “There is a need to create an atmosphere of harmony among all politicians to solve political problems,” he also said. “The INL has to be part of these meetings to save the country from repeated crises and its demands must be studied as they are not factional national demands,” the lawmaker explained.
The parliamentary bloc ordered its five ministers last week to boycott cabinet sessions because of the government's failure to implement its program. The ministers of science and technology did not comply with he decision. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's INL has 24 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
“We appreciate the positions of President Talabani and Barazani and their calls for the importance of the INL’s participation in the summit because of its political and ethical weight in the Iraqi political arena,” he added. “There is a need to create an atmosphere of harmony among all politicians to solve political problems,” he also said. “The INL has to be part of these meetings to save the country from repeated crises and its demands must be studied as they are not factional national demands,” the lawmaker explained.
The parliamentary bloc ordered its five ministers last week to boycott cabinet sessions because of the government's failure to implement its program. The ministers of science and technology did not comply with he decision. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's INL has 24 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
Labels: Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, Iyad Jamal el-Din
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Iraqi List Suggests Political Commission To Run The Country
Politics
(Azzaman Newspaper) - 13 AUG - The Iraqi National List has suggested forming a political commission that will include all the parties in the government in order to run the country. They pointed out that this commission will not take the place of the leaders. The list has denied reports about its withdrawal from the political process or of it trying to destabilize the Al Maliki government.
Iraqi List Parliament member, Izzat Al Shabandar, announced yesterday that there is now a project to form a political commission from the main political entities. This commission will look like a front, but this front will not take the place of the leader. It will just say to him, do not be autocratic with political decisions which are connected with the present and the future of the country. Al Shabandar also said that the Al Maliki government can not continue under these circumstances.
He added, “Al Maliki will not continue with this government; it is impossible and we do not care who takes his place as long as the next leader is chosen is a nationalist and is away from sectarianism and religion. The Communist Party, which is part of the Iraqi List, announced that it has created a project to save the country from the recent crisis. The Communist Party Central Committee Secretary and a Parliament member, Hamid Majid Moussa, confirmed that negotiations between his party and other political powers are continuing to solve the crisis.
Iraqi List leader, Ayad Allawi, has told his list’s ministers to continue with their duties, but do not attend the cabinet meetings as a first step before their withdrawal. The Sadr Movement confirmed that their movement is still in the political process. The Movement also confirmed that Ahmed Al Sharifi does not represent the Movement or the political council. Ahmed Al Massoudi (Sadr Movement) has denied what Al Sharifi announced during his press conference Saturday, that there will be changes in the Sadr Movement.
Iraqi List Parliament member, Izzat Al Shabandar, announced yesterday that there is now a project to form a political commission from the main political entities. This commission will look like a front, but this front will not take the place of the leader. It will just say to him, do not be autocratic with political decisions which are connected with the present and the future of the country. Al Shabandar also said that the Al Maliki government can not continue under these circumstances.
He added, “Al Maliki will not continue with this government; it is impossible and we do not care who takes his place as long as the next leader is chosen is a nationalist and is away from sectarianism and religion. The Communist Party, which is part of the Iraqi List, announced that it has created a project to save the country from the recent crisis. The Communist Party Central Committee Secretary and a Parliament member, Hamid Majid Moussa, confirmed that negotiations between his party and other political powers are continuing to solve the crisis.
Iraqi List leader, Ayad Allawi, has told his list’s ministers to continue with their duties, but do not attend the cabinet meetings as a first step before their withdrawal. The Sadr Movement confirmed that their movement is still in the political process. The Movement also confirmed that Ahmed Al Sharifi does not represent the Movement or the political council. Ahmed Al Massoudi (Sadr Movement) has denied what Al Sharifi announced during his press conference Saturday, that there will be changes in the Sadr Movement.
Labels: Ahmed Al Massoudi, Ahmed Al Sharifi, Hamid Majid Moussa, Iraqi Communist Party, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, Izzat Al Shabandar, political commission, Sadr movement
Monday, August 06, 2007
Allawi and Barzani to meet for political discussions
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraq's Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani will meet former Iraqi Prime Minister and Head of the Iraqi National List (INL) Ayad Allawi in Erbil to discuss developments in the Iraqi political process, the head of Barzani's office, Fouad Hussein, said on Saturday. The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and cabinet in northeastern the capital city of Erbil, Hussein said. Hussein did not give further details of the meeting, but ruled out a press conference between the two leaders. The meeting comes after the withdrawal of the Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) from the government and threats by the INL to follow suit. The INL holds 24 seats in the 275-member parliament.
Labels: Erbil, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, KRG, Massoud Barzani
Friday, August 03, 2007
Iraqi National List considers withdrawal from government
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - A member in the Iraqi National List (INL) said on Thursday that his bloc is considering withdrawing from the Iraqi government, stressing that the withdrawal, if it happens, will be an outcome of the front's stance, not another bloc’s position. "A withdrawal decision of the (INL) ministers has not been made yet," Osama al-Negefi, an INL MP, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) by telephone.
"We have reservations about the government's performance and we presented a memorandum regarding this three months ago… in which we asked to reform the political process," he said, noting that the withdrawal option is open if demands are not met. The Iraqi National List is a secular bloc and the fourth largest bloc with 25 seats out of the 275-member parliament. The parliamentary bloc has four portfolios within al-Maliki's government.
He stressed that if the bloc withdraws from the government this will be an outcome of their position, not that of the Iraqi Accordance Front. The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) announced on Wednesday its withdrawal from the government and the resignation of five ministers in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubaie. The IAF had 44 seats in the parliament and it is the third largest bloc after the Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) and the Kurdistan Coalition (KC).
"The memorandum presented by the INL has 14 points, and we said that the political process had deviated from its right track and the security file was in the hands of a group belonging to certain parties," al-Negefi said. "The memorandum also included (demands concerning) the participation of some parties not included in the political process, the national reconciliation project and the detainees file," the legislator noted.
MP from the same bloc, Mayson al-Demlougi, said that their demands were ignored by al-Maliki's government, saying "we feel marginalized." She urged the premier to listen carefully to the demands of other blocs, which have reservations about the government's performance, warning of grave consequences if the current government keeps on ignoring blocs' demands.
Head of the INL, Iyad Allawi, described in a televised interview on Wednesday, after the withdrawal of the IAF, the current government as "a sectarian government," considering the withdrawal of the IAF as "a collapse of the political process," highlighting that his front is considering making a similar step.
"We have reservations about the government's performance and we presented a memorandum regarding this three months ago… in which we asked to reform the political process," he said, noting that the withdrawal option is open if demands are not met. The Iraqi National List is a secular bloc and the fourth largest bloc with 25 seats out of the 275-member parliament. The parliamentary bloc has four portfolios within al-Maliki's government.
He stressed that if the bloc withdraws from the government this will be an outcome of their position, not that of the Iraqi Accordance Front. The Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) announced on Wednesday its withdrawal from the government and the resignation of five ministers in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zubaie. The IAF had 44 seats in the parliament and it is the third largest bloc after the Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) and the Kurdistan Coalition (KC).
"The memorandum presented by the INL has 14 points, and we said that the political process had deviated from its right track and the security file was in the hands of a group belonging to certain parties," al-Negefi said. "The memorandum also included (demands concerning) the participation of some parties not included in the political process, the national reconciliation project and the detainees file," the legislator noted.
MP from the same bloc, Mayson al-Demlougi, said that their demands were ignored by al-Maliki's government, saying "we feel marginalized." She urged the premier to listen carefully to the demands of other blocs, which have reservations about the government's performance, warning of grave consequences if the current government keeps on ignoring blocs' demands.
Head of the INL, Iyad Allawi, described in a televised interview on Wednesday, after the withdrawal of the IAF, the current government as "a sectarian government," considering the withdrawal of the IAF as "a collapse of the political process," highlighting that his front is considering making a similar step.
Labels: Iraqi Accordance Front, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, Osama al-Negefi
Monday, July 09, 2007
Allawi says National List considering withdawing from Maliki's government
Politics
(Gulf News article) - US withdrawal from Iraq must follow the building of the country's military and security capabilities and the establishment of "some sort of law and order," says former Iraqi Prime Minister Eyad Allawi. "The withdrawal [of the US forces] will not lead to stability; instead, it will be catastrophic," he told Gulf News in an exclusive interview in Amman, Jordan. He questioned the ability of the Iraqi government, "held hostage in the Green Zone", to function if US protection were to be lifted.
Allawi, leader of one of the biggest groups in the parliament, said that the United Nations and its Security Council should be given a bigger role in Iraq, in coordination with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference. Allawi said his parliamentary bloc, the Iraqi National List, was seriously considering "withdrawing from the political process" in Iraq, or at least from the Nouri Al Maliki government. FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL INTERVIEW
Allawi, leader of one of the biggest groups in the parliament, said that the United Nations and its Security Council should be given a bigger role in Iraq, in coordination with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Conference. Allawi said his parliamentary bloc, the Iraqi National List, was seriously considering "withdrawing from the political process" in Iraq, or at least from the Nouri Al Maliki government. FOLLOW LINK FOR FULL INTERVIEW
Labels: Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, U.S. troop withdrawal, UNSC
Friday, April 06, 2007
New Justice Minister as al-Shibli quits
Politics
(VOI) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accepted the resignation of Justice Minister Hashim al-Shibli and assigned Minister of State for National Assembly Safa al-Din al-Safi to take over his tasks, the state-run al-Iraqiya satellite channel reported on Thursday. The minister presented his resignation last week, protesting the way the government is operating, by saying “I cannot take responsibility in this critical stage in Iraq’s history.” He is a member of the Iraqi National List, a secular parliamentary bloc with 25 seats out of the 275-member parliament, under former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
Labels: Iraqi National List, Justice Minister Hashim al-Shibli, Safa al-Din al-Safi
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Justice Minister resigns
Politics
(AP) - Iraq's justice minister said Saturday that he had offered his resignation, citing unspecified differences with the government and his own political group. Justice Minister Hashim al-Shebli, a Sunni Arab member of the secular Iraqi List, said he had presented his resignation to the Cabinet on Thursday but was still waiting for its approval of the decision.
"I have differences with the government on one side and with the my parliamentary bloc on another," al-Shebli told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. He did not elaborate on the differences, but al-Shebli has been involved in a dispute over the Cabinet's recent endorsement of a decision to relocate and compensate thousands of Arabs who moved to the oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk during "Arabisation" campaign in 1980s. The Iraqi List and several Sunni lawmakers have objected to the decision, saying it fails to address key issues, including property claims.
Al-Shebli said he was still acting as justice minister while awaiting the Cabinet's response. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, could not immediately be reached for comment. Government adviser Sami al-Askari said he had no information about the resignation. The Iraqi List, which is led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, holds 25 seats in the 275-seat parliament.
"I have differences with the government on one side and with the my parliamentary bloc on another," al-Shebli told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. He did not elaborate on the differences, but al-Shebli has been involved in a dispute over the Cabinet's recent endorsement of a decision to relocate and compensate thousands of Arabs who moved to the oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk during "Arabisation" campaign in 1980s. The Iraqi List and several Sunni lawmakers have objected to the decision, saying it fails to address key issues, including property claims.
Al-Shebli said he was still acting as justice minister while awaiting the Cabinet's response. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, could not immediately be reached for comment. Government adviser Sami al-Askari said he had no information about the resignation. The Iraqi List, which is led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, holds 25 seats in the 275-seat parliament.
Labels: Hashim al-Shebli, Iraq's justice minister, Iraqi National List
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
IAF leader announces new political alliance
Politics
(VOI) Head of the Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF), Adnan al-Dulaimi, unveiled on Tuesday the establishment of new political alliance called the Iraqi National Front, between the IAF and Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List (INL). The new alliance will not represent any factional or sectarian trends, he added. "We had talks with the head of the Iraqi National List (INL), Iyad Allawi, as well as all parties participating in the ongoing political process, with a view to joining the bloc, which aims to end the sectarian violence and to save Iraq's unity," al-Dulaimi said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
"We will work through the new bloc to step up pressure, on the government and the occupation forces, to end the bloodshed," the statement added. "The new alliance will not represent any sectarian or factional trends as it includes different Iraqi parties, and we will work on solving the security issue," the statement noted. Al-Dulaimi also wished Iraq's neighboring conference great success. The Iraqi Accordance Front is a Sunni parliamentary bloc with 44 seats out of the 275-member parliament while the former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National List has 25 seats.
COMMENT: The Iraqi National Front does not hold enough seats to make any major changes. However, that could change should other secular and Sunni parties join them such as Salih Mutlak's Sunni Arab National Dialogue Front and the Reconciliation and Reconstruction list of Mishaan Juburi. There is also a possibility that the continuous and ever-widening chasm within the UIA could encourage Shia parties such as the Islamic Virtue Party (Fadila) to jump ship. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Adnan Dulaimi, Iraqi Accordance Front, Iraqi National Front, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi
Monday, March 05, 2007
Allawi meets with Kurdish leaders
Politics
(Al-Hayat) A member of Ayad Allawi's Iraqi List, Osama al-Najafi, told an Al-Hayat reporter that both Allawi and US ambassador Khalilzad are in Kurdistan for talks with leaders there. Allawi is trying to convince the leaders of the Kurdish coalition in the national parliament to join the "new front" he is forming, since the Kurds have a big weight in parliament and in the current government. And Najafi told the reporter that Khalilzad's presence there indicates the US supports the Allawi plan. The reporter then recites the contents of the announcement made Friday by a spokesman for Allawi's group, about the political and security collapse and the threat of Allawi's group exiting the government and the current political process. Here's the new part of what he reports:
And Najafi said the question of the Iraqi List staying in the current government is conditional on agreement to its demands, represented by: revision of the political process in its entirety, changing the method of administering the Iraqi state, freezing the constitution, and dissolving parliament. And he stressed that the decision to withdraw [in the event the demands aren't met] has been agreed to my most of the members of the Iraqi List. The reporter also talked to Adnan Dulaimi, head of the Iraqi Accord Front, the biggest Sunni bloc in parliament, and here's how that went:
And the IAF, through its leader Adnan Dulaimi, said the group supports the creation of a new front to correct the course of the political process via redistribution of official appointments and the security ministries, in the event of failure of the international Baghdad Conference to cure the current situation.
And Najafi said the question of the Iraqi List staying in the current government is conditional on agreement to its demands, represented by: revision of the political process in its entirety, changing the method of administering the Iraqi state, freezing the constitution, and dissolving parliament. And he stressed that the decision to withdraw [in the event the demands aren't met] has been agreed to my most of the members of the Iraqi List. The reporter also talked to Adnan Dulaimi, head of the Iraqi Accord Front, the biggest Sunni bloc in parliament, and here's how that went:
And the IAF, through its leader Adnan Dulaimi, said the group supports the creation of a new front to correct the course of the political process via redistribution of official appointments and the security ministries, in the event of failure of the international Baghdad Conference to cure the current situation.
So the Iraqi List appears to be talking about a "new front" that will demand freezing of the constitution and dissolving parliament as part of a "course-correction in the political process", otherwise they will bolt. The IAF leader talks about this "new front" idea as a "redistribution of official positions", and says it is something that should happen in the event that the Baghdad Conference (expected to be held in about a week, on March 10) doesn't solve anything. And the Allawi person, perhaps predictably, says Allawi is being given tacit US support by Khalilzad, in his current attempt to get the two big Kurdish parties to join in this.
Labels: Adnan Dulaimi, Iraqi Accord Front, Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi, KRG, Osama al-Najafi
Friday, March 02, 2007
Allawi threatens to quit government
Politics
(Middle East Online) The secular party led by former Iraqi interim prime minister Iyad Allawi threatened Thursday to quit the country's embattled government of national unity, accusing officials of sectarian bias. Allawi's Iraqi National List is the only major political party in Iraq to include high ranking members from both the Sunni and Shiite community. It has five ministers and 25 members of parliament.
If Allawi's supporters were to quit Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition, it would strike a blow to attempts to portray the government as a moderate, non-sectarian force in an Iraq increasingly divided by violence and extremism. The List says Maliki's Shiite-led government has failed to honour promises to allow more Sunnis into public service and of persecuting its enemies under the guise of fighting corruption and terrorism.
"We strongly fear that the government's announced security plan will suffer setbacks because of disagreements and clashes between senior officials," the List said, in a statement sent to reporters. "In this context, the Iraqi List feels it will soon no longer be able to accept the responsibility of being in this government, because of its sectarian domination and narrow-mindedness," it warned. "We wouldn't have joined government in the first place but for pressure on us to serve the national interest, but in the last few months the government has done the opposite, and committed despicable acts against many citizens."
The party did not set a deadline for its withdrawal, but party spokesman Ibrahim al-Janabi said that the day would soon be at hand. "This is a final ultimatum to withdraw from the government. The decision has not been taken yet but it will be in the short run rather than the long run. "We put forward a programme to build a national unity government without sectarian and party divides. Now we see that things are taking a completely different shape," he said.
If Allawi's supporters were to quit Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition, it would strike a blow to attempts to portray the government as a moderate, non-sectarian force in an Iraq increasingly divided by violence and extremism. The List says Maliki's Shiite-led government has failed to honour promises to allow more Sunnis into public service and of persecuting its enemies under the guise of fighting corruption and terrorism.
"We strongly fear that the government's announced security plan will suffer setbacks because of disagreements and clashes between senior officials," the List said, in a statement sent to reporters. "In this context, the Iraqi List feels it will soon no longer be able to accept the responsibility of being in this government, because of its sectarian domination and narrow-mindedness," it warned. "We wouldn't have joined government in the first place but for pressure on us to serve the national interest, but in the last few months the government has done the opposite, and committed despicable acts against many citizens."
The party did not set a deadline for its withdrawal, but party spokesman Ibrahim al-Janabi said that the day would soon be at hand. "This is a final ultimatum to withdraw from the government. The decision has not been taken yet but it will be in the short run rather than the long run. "We put forward a programme to build a national unity government without sectarian and party divides. Now we see that things are taking a completely different shape," he said.
Labels: Iraqi National List, Iyad Allawi
