Thursday, September 20, 2007
Dawa Party reiterates commitment to UIC
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - The Daawa Party-Iraq has reiterated its commitment to the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), denying reports that indicate its withdrawal from the bloc. "We continue to support Nouri al-Maliki's government and our main aim is to tackle all pending issues inside the UIC," the leader of the party, Abdul Kareem al-Anzi, said at a press conference held on Wednesday in Baghdad.
He denied reports that indicated its withdrawal from the UIC, but said they will work towards a strong coalition. Al-Anzi said last Sunday that the party may withdraw from the Shiite UIC if efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite alliance fail. The party's MP Abd al-Mousawi said that the Daawa Party had announced its commitment to the unified national government, underlining the importance of the presence of the Fadhila party and the Sadrist bloc in the UIC.
The party holds 13 seats out of the 83-seat UIC. The UIC was composed of several (Shiite) religious and political organizations and parties that entered the first legislative elections in Iraq to be held after foreign troops entered the country and unseated the regime in April 2003. The UIC now has 83 seats, after two members on the Risalyoon list, an offshoot of the Sadrist bloc, quit in solidarity. The step was preceded by the withdrawal of the Islamic Fadhila (Virtue) Party, which had 15 seats in March 2007.
He denied reports that indicated its withdrawal from the UIC, but said they will work towards a strong coalition. Al-Anzi said last Sunday that the party may withdraw from the Shiite UIC if efforts to heal the rift within the Shiite alliance fail. The party's MP Abd al-Mousawi said that the Daawa Party had announced its commitment to the unified national government, underlining the importance of the presence of the Fadhila party and the Sadrist bloc in the UIC.
The party holds 13 seats out of the 83-seat UIC. The UIC was composed of several (Shiite) religious and political organizations and parties that entered the first legislative elections in Iraq to be held after foreign troops entered the country and unseated the regime in April 2003. The UIC now has 83 seats, after two members on the Risalyoon list, an offshoot of the Sadrist bloc, quit in solidarity. The step was preceded by the withdrawal of the Islamic Fadhila (Virtue) Party, which had 15 seats in March 2007.
Labels: Abdul Kareem al-Anzi, Dawa party, Fadhela party, Risalyoon list, Sadrist bloc, Unified Iraqi Coalition
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sadrists react with anger to Petraeus report
Politics
(AFP) -- Moqtada al-Sadr's powerful Shiite movement reacted angrily on Wednesday to a progress report by the top US general and diplomat in Iraq, contesting their findings and vowing to fight on until all American troops leave. "The report did not touch on Iraqi reality," said Abdul-Mahdi al-Mutayri, a member of the politburo of Sadr's office in the central city of Najaf.
"It has damaged the interests of the people because it does not reflect the true situation in Iraq," Mutayri told AFP. "The security situation is still bad, contrary to what the report said. The people are still isolated from each other because of sectarian strife, especially in Baghdad," he added. He was referring to claims by US commander General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker that violence levels had dropped significantly because of an American troop "surge" in Iraq.
Appearing before the US Congress on Monday, Petraeus said that as a result of the improved security situation, 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by July next year. Mutayri scoffed at the withdrawal timetable outlined by Petraeus, which would see the first batch of Marines return home as early as this month. "Our basic aim is not a timetable but full withdrawal... we will keep demanding that until the last soldier leaves Iraq," he said.
Petraeus's announcement, he added, was merely for "media purposes" and to camouflage the fact that the US administration wants to maintain "the largest possible number of forces in Iraq for strategic purposes." Fiery anti-American cleric Sadr, who has a thousands-strong militia known as the Mahdi Army, has constantly demanded the departure of foreign troops from Iraqi soil since the US-led invasion in March 2003. It launched two uprisings in 2004 but suffered bloody defeats at the hands of US forces in both, although the militia has continued its attacks on foreign troops.
A member of parliament representing Sadr political bloc, Ghufran Saad, told AFP that Petraeus's announcement of possible troop cutbacks was "not fresh news." "Every year they say numbers of troops will leave, but what we see is that their number is in fact increased," Saad said. "The Sadr group did not need to listen to the report to know what they were going to say because we know that the Americans are always trying to impose their mandate on Iraq," she added.
The timetable for withdrawal was "a deception of the Iraqi people because their presence or departure should be determined by the Iraqi government." Sadr's spokesman Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi was sceptical that the withdrawal would happen in the way outlined by Petraeus. "The command of the US forces will not hesitate to keep them in Iraq if the situation changes for a real or fabricated reason," he said.
On August 29, Sadr ordered the Mahdi Army to halt its militia activities, including assaults on US-led forces, for six months after it was widely accused of fomenting violence during a huge pilgrimage in the shrine city of Karbala that left 50 people dead. Attacks on American forces continue, however, with US commanders blaming "rogue" Mahdi Army elements beyond Sadr's control. Najaf, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Baghdad where Sadr has his headquarters, is Shiite Islam's holiest pilgrimage city and home to the shrine of Imam Ali.
"It has damaged the interests of the people because it does not reflect the true situation in Iraq," Mutayri told AFP. "The security situation is still bad, contrary to what the report said. The people are still isolated from each other because of sectarian strife, especially in Baghdad," he added. He was referring to claims by US commander General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker that violence levels had dropped significantly because of an American troop "surge" in Iraq.
Appearing before the US Congress on Monday, Petraeus said that as a result of the improved security situation, 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by July next year. Mutayri scoffed at the withdrawal timetable outlined by Petraeus, which would see the first batch of Marines return home as early as this month. "Our basic aim is not a timetable but full withdrawal... we will keep demanding that until the last soldier leaves Iraq," he said.
Petraeus's announcement, he added, was merely for "media purposes" and to camouflage the fact that the US administration wants to maintain "the largest possible number of forces in Iraq for strategic purposes." Fiery anti-American cleric Sadr, who has a thousands-strong militia known as the Mahdi Army, has constantly demanded the departure of foreign troops from Iraqi soil since the US-led invasion in March 2003. It launched two uprisings in 2004 but suffered bloody defeats at the hands of US forces in both, although the militia has continued its attacks on foreign troops.
A member of parliament representing Sadr political bloc, Ghufran Saad, told AFP that Petraeus's announcement of possible troop cutbacks was "not fresh news." "Every year they say numbers of troops will leave, but what we see is that their number is in fact increased," Saad said. "The Sadr group did not need to listen to the report to know what they were going to say because we know that the Americans are always trying to impose their mandate on Iraq," she added.
The timetable for withdrawal was "a deception of the Iraqi people because their presence or departure should be determined by the Iraqi government." Sadr's spokesman Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi was sceptical that the withdrawal would happen in the way outlined by Petraeus. "The command of the US forces will not hesitate to keep them in Iraq if the situation changes for a real or fabricated reason," he said.
On August 29, Sadr ordered the Mahdi Army to halt its militia activities, including assaults on US-led forces, for six months after it was widely accused of fomenting violence during a huge pilgrimage in the shrine city of Karbala that left 50 people dead. Attacks on American forces continue, however, with US commanders blaming "rogue" Mahdi Army elements beyond Sadr's control. Najaf, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Baghdad where Sadr has his headquarters, is Shiite Islam's holiest pilgrimage city and home to the shrine of Imam Ali.
Labels: Abdul-Mahdi al-Mutayri, General David Petraeus, Ghufran Saad, Mahdi Army, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Najaf, Sadrist bloc, Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi
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
Sadrists demonstrate in Najaf
Security, Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Hundreds of the Sadrist bloc’s supporters in Najaf staged a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday, calling for an end to arrest campaigns and the release of detainees from the Sadrist bloc, while the spokesman for the bloc said that Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is in Iraq. “The protesters began the demonstration at 10:00 am on Wednesday from Sahet al-Sadreen (Sadrists' square) in eastern Najaf and ended it at Sahet al-Thawrat al-Eishreen at the eastern exit of the city.
The angry protesters called on the Iraqi government and U.S. forces to release detainees and for the immediate stop to arrest campaigns, which they described as being carried out randomly. “This demonstration aims to call on authorities to stop the recent arrest campaigns by U.S. forces against Sadrists,” the official spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr, Sheikh Ahmed al-Shebani, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) during the demonstration.
A joint Iraqi and U.S. force last Monday arrested Emad al-Hasnawi, an activist from the Sadrist bloc, from his house in Missan neighborhood in Kufa. U.S. forces also arrested Sheikh Fuad al-Tarafi, a senior aide for Muqtada al-Sadr, last Sunday from his house in the neighborhood. “U.S. forces recently launched a new military operation dubbed “Phantom Strike” throughout Iraq, which mainly aims to crack down on Sadrists and elements of the Mahdi Army,” the sheikh also said.
“Muqtada al-Sadr is in Iraq,” al-Sebani also affirmed. U.S. reports recently asserted that the Shiite cleric is in Iran. “We still adhere to the political process. We withdrew from the government but still have members in the parliament,” he noted. The Sadrist bloc is one of the main components of the Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) and has 30 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
The angry protesters called on the Iraqi government and U.S. forces to release detainees and for the immediate stop to arrest campaigns, which they described as being carried out randomly. “This demonstration aims to call on authorities to stop the recent arrest campaigns by U.S. forces against Sadrists,” the official spokesman for Muqtada al-Sadr, Sheikh Ahmed al-Shebani, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) during the demonstration.
A joint Iraqi and U.S. force last Monday arrested Emad al-Hasnawi, an activist from the Sadrist bloc, from his house in Missan neighborhood in Kufa. U.S. forces also arrested Sheikh Fuad al-Tarafi, a senior aide for Muqtada al-Sadr, last Sunday from his house in the neighborhood. “U.S. forces recently launched a new military operation dubbed “Phantom Strike” throughout Iraq, which mainly aims to crack down on Sadrists and elements of the Mahdi Army,” the sheikh also said.
“Muqtada al-Sadr is in Iraq,” al-Sebani also affirmed. U.S. reports recently asserted that the Shiite cleric is in Iran. “We still adhere to the political process. We withdrew from the government but still have members in the parliament,” he noted. The Sadrist bloc is one of the main components of the Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC) and has 30 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
Labels: demonstration, Emad al-Hasnawi, Najaf, Sadrist bloc, Sheikh Ahmed al-Shebani, Sheikh Fuad al-Tarafi
Friday, August 03, 2007
Concern grows among Iraqi politicians following IAF withdrawal
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Iraqi politicians demonstrated their concerns about the implications of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front's (IAF) withdrawal from the government for the future of the Iraqi political process. Stressing the Iraqi political process's need for reform, MP Maisoon al-Damlouji from the Iraqi National Slate told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), "The political process, which is based on a sectarian quota system, is about to fall. We have to handle the situation before reaching the point of no return."
Urging Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to listen to the IAF's demands, al-Damlouji said that constructive dialogue at the current time is necessary for discussing all unresolved issues. "The IAF, the National Slate, the Sadrist movement, al-Fadila Party and the National Dialogue Front (NDF) are equally dissatisfied with the current situation… The Iraqi prime minister must listen to what we are saying before it is too late," al-Damlouji indicated.
The mostly secular Iraqi National Slate, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, holds 24 seats in the Iraqi parliament. Khalaf al-Alian, a leading IAF member, described the current Iraqi political process as a "failure" and indicated that the departure of his front, along with the Sadrist movement, from the government is a clear sign that al-Maliki's government is becoming increasingly unpopular in the Iraqi street. According to al-Alian, al-Maliki has two choices: to form a government of independent technocrats or to step down in favor of a more qualified person.
Meanwhile, MP Ali al-Alaq from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest parliamentary bloc with 111 seats, told VOI that the IAF's decision does not necessarily indicate retrogression in the political process, which he is said is "working fine."
Displaying pessimism about the future of the Iraqi political process, Hadi Aliwa, a political analyst, held the Iraqi government and parliamentary blocs responsible for the "failure" to reach political consensus. "Each bloc is working on its own. Several regional and international factors, the most important of which is the U.S. occupation, are affecting the political process," Aliwa explained.
The mostly secular Iraqi National Slate, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, holds 24 seats in the Iraqi parliament. Khalaf al-Alian, a leading IAF member, described the current Iraqi political process as a "failure" and indicated that the departure of his front, along with the Sadrist movement, from the government is a clear sign that al-Maliki's government is becoming increasingly unpopular in the Iraqi street. According to al-Alian, al-Maliki has two choices: to form a government of independent technocrats or to step down in favor of a more qualified person.
Meanwhile, MP Ali al-Alaq from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest parliamentary bloc with 111 seats, told VOI that the IAF's decision does not necessarily indicate retrogression in the political process, which he is said is "working fine."
Displaying pessimism about the future of the Iraqi political process, Hadi Aliwa, a political analyst, held the Iraqi government and parliamentary blocs responsible for the "failure" to reach political consensus. "Each bloc is working on its own. Several regional and international factors, the most important of which is the U.S. occupation, are affecting the political process," Aliwa explained.
Labels: Fadhela party, Iraqi Accordance Front, Iraqi National Slate, Maisoon al-Damlouji, National Dialogue Front, Sadrist bloc, Tawafuq Front, Unified Iraqi Coalition
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sunni MPs end parliament boycott
Politics
(AP) - Sunni lawmakers ended their five-week boycott of parliament Thursday, raising hopes the factious assembly can make progress on benchmark legislation demanded by Washington. The U.S. said two American soldiers have been charged with killing an Iraqi. Also Thursday, the U.S. command announced the deaths of five American soldiers. Four soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed Wednesday in a roadside bombing in east Baghdad and one soldier was killed Friday by small arms fire near Rusdi Mulla, just to the southwest of the city.
The 44 members of the Iraqi Accordance Front attended Thursday's session after striking a deal with other blocs to reinstate the Sunni speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who was ousted by the Shiite-dominated assembly last month for erratic behavior. Al-Mashhadani is expected to gracefully resign after presiding over a number of sessions. Shiite legislator Hassan al-Suneid, an aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said al-Mashhadani's return came after secret conditions that should not be made public.
However, one official said al-Mashhadani has until Wednesday to step down or parliament will force him out. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information. "We all have to work together to rescue Iraq from the catastrophe which has befallen it," Sunni leader Adnan al-Dulaimi told parliament. "This is the first step in solving the Iraqi problem and in stopping the bloodshed."
The Sunnis ended their walkout two days after Shiite lawmakers loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ended their boycott after officials accepted their demands for rebuilding a Shiite shrine damaged by bombings. Those two boycotts had paralyzed the 275-member parliament, which is under strong criticism from U.S. critics for failing to approve key legislation and for plans to take a month's vacation in August at a time when American and Iraqi troops are dying on the battlefield.
The sensitivities displayed by both the Accordance Front and al-Sadr's allies indicates the depth of suspicion and sectarian rivalry prevalent in Iraq after more than four years of war.
Meanwhile, American and Iraqi forces were continuing operations to clear Sunni extremists from the eastern part of Baqouba, 35 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. said. U.S. troops killed three al-Qaida suspects Thursday as they tried to slip out of the city, Iraqi security officials said. Clashes occurred during the day as American and Iraqi forces moved through the streets, securing buildings and clearing explosives. One insurgent explosives expert led U.S. and Iraqi troops to a bombs cache hidden in two homes of Shiites who had fled sectarian tension, police said.
The 44 members of the Iraqi Accordance Front attended Thursday's session after striking a deal with other blocs to reinstate the Sunni speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who was ousted by the Shiite-dominated assembly last month for erratic behavior. Al-Mashhadani is expected to gracefully resign after presiding over a number of sessions. Shiite legislator Hassan al-Suneid, an aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said al-Mashhadani's return came after secret conditions that should not be made public.
However, one official said al-Mashhadani has until Wednesday to step down or parliament will force him out. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information. "We all have to work together to rescue Iraq from the catastrophe which has befallen it," Sunni leader Adnan al-Dulaimi told parliament. "This is the first step in solving the Iraqi problem and in stopping the bloodshed."
The Sunnis ended their walkout two days after Shiite lawmakers loyal to anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ended their boycott after officials accepted their demands for rebuilding a Shiite shrine damaged by bombings. Those two boycotts had paralyzed the 275-member parliament, which is under strong criticism from U.S. critics for failing to approve key legislation and for plans to take a month's vacation in August at a time when American and Iraqi troops are dying on the battlefield.
The sensitivities displayed by both the Accordance Front and al-Sadr's allies indicates the depth of suspicion and sectarian rivalry prevalent in Iraq after more than four years of war.
Meanwhile, American and Iraqi forces were continuing operations to clear Sunni extremists from the eastern part of Baqouba, 35 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. said. U.S. troops killed three al-Qaida suspects Thursday as they tried to slip out of the city, Iraqi security officials said. Clashes occurred during the day as American and Iraqi forces moved through the streets, securing buildings and clearing explosives. One insurgent explosives expert led U.S. and Iraqi troops to a bombs cache hidden in two homes of Shiites who had fled sectarian tension, police said.
U.S. troops regained control of the western half of the city last month and launched operations into the rest of Baqouba on Tuesday. Since last month, the Americans said they have killed at least 67 al-Qaida operatives in Baqouba, arrested 253, seized 63 weapons caches and have destroyed 151 roadside bombs.
In western Iraq, residents said assailants blew up two bridges in Haditha overnight. The bridges connect Haditha with Anah, about 160 miles northwest of the capital. The American forces are blocking the area now looking for those involved in the operation. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity out of fears for their safety.
In western Iraq, residents said assailants blew up two bridges in Haditha overnight. The bridges connect Haditha with Anah, about 160 miles northwest of the capital. The American forces are blocking the area now looking for those involved in the operation. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity out of fears for their safety.
Labels: Adnan Dulaimi, Anah, Baqouba, bridges, Haditha, Iraqi Accordance Front, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Sadrist bloc
Monday, July 16, 2007
Kurdish Parliament Member: The Kurdish Coalition Insists On The Implementation Of Article 140 Within The Stated Time Limit
Politics
(Al Mashriq Newspaper) - 16 JUL - Kurdish Coalition Parliament member, Khalid Schwan, said that the Kurdish Coalition insists on the implementation of Article 140 regarding the normalization of Kirkuk within the stated time limit and without further delay.
Schwan stated in Irbil, “The Kirkuk issue has been delayed two times. The first delay occurred during Ayad Allawi’s government and the second during Ibrahim Al Jaafari’s government. This issue was addressed in Article 158 of the Transitional Administrative State Law. At this time, we will not accept any further delay even if the government demands that. Kirkuk’s referendum will be conducted with the stated time limit. In accordance with Article 140 of the constitution, a referendum should be conducted to determine the destiny of Kirkuk by the end of this year, as to whether it ill be joined to Kurdistan or not.”
Article 140 states that Kirkuk’s normalization should have three stages starting with normalization and ending with the referendum. This article also states that Arabs who came to Kirkuk should be returned to their original areas and those who were previously displaced should be returned to Kirkuk. The Article 140 Committee has issued a decision to compensate Arabs, who came from other areas, with 20 million ID, a parcel of land, and the transferal of their to their old area.
The German News Agency has mentioned, based on the statement of the Sadr Movement’s Parliament spokesman [Bahaa Al Araji], that the Sadr Movement is committed to federalism and Article 140 of the constitution. The spokesman confirmed, “The Kurdistan region is a special case that has been clearly mentioned in the constitution.
Article 140 states that Kirkuk’s normalization should have three stages starting with normalization and ending with the referendum. This article also states that Arabs who came to Kirkuk should be returned to their original areas and those who were previously displaced should be returned to Kirkuk. The Article 140 Committee has issued a decision to compensate Arabs, who came from other areas, with 20 million ID, a parcel of land, and the transferal of their to their old area.
The German News Agency has mentioned, based on the statement of the Sadr Movement’s Parliament spokesman [Bahaa Al Araji], that the Sadr Movement is committed to federalism and Article 140 of the constitution. The spokesman confirmed, “The Kurdistan region is a special case that has been clearly mentioned in the constitution.
After his meeting with the PUK political office in Sulaymaniya, Al Araji said, “The Sadr Movement supports the full implementation of Article 140 because it is in a constitutional article.” Regarding Kirkuk joining the Kurdistan region, Al Araji said, “This issue will be decided by Kirkuk’s citizens through a referendum. The Sadr Movement opposes the gathering of Turkish troops on the border because Kurdistan is a part of Iraq. We do not accept any interference in Kurdistan’s internal affairs by any country.”
Labels: Article 140, Bahaa Al Araji, Khalid Schwan, Kirkuk, Kirkuk referendum, Kurdish Coalition, Sadrist bloc
Sadrists, Accord Front in discussions with leaders to end parliament boycott
Politics
(AP) - Meanwhile, parliament convened on Monday as Iraqi politicians tried to end a pair of boycotts of the legislature that are holding up work on crucial reforms sought by Washington. The top Sunni party, the Iraqi Accordance Party has refused to attend parliament to protest the removal of the Sunni speaker of parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani. The Shiite-dominated parliament voted June 11 to remove al-Mashhadani because of erratic behavior and comments that frequently embarrassed al-Maliki's government.
Sunnis also want the government to set aside an arrest warrant against the Sunni culture minister, accused of ordering an assassination attempt against a fellow Sunni legislator. Adnan al-Dulaimi, the Accordance Front leader, met Sunday with al-Maliki to discuss the Sunni boycott. After the meeting, al-Dulaimi's spokesman, Muhannad al-Issawi, said that the boycott would continue and if the speaker were replaced, the decision should be made by the Sunnis and "not imposed" by Shiites and Kurds.
But al-Dulaimi was more optimistic about a settlement that would allow the Sunnis to return. "Things are, God willing, on their way to be resolved," al-Dulaimi told The Associated Press. "The pending issue of al-Mashhadani and that of the minister of culture will be solved by the end of the week, and things will go back to their normal course." Hassan al-Suneid, a Shiite lawmaker close to al-Maliki, also said a deal was near under which al-Mashhadani could return to his post briefly, then permitted to retire.
Meanwhile, a member of the Shiite Sadr bloc said his faction would meet Monday with parliament leaders to discuss their own boycott, launched to protest delays in rebuilding a Shiite shrine in Samarra that was damaged by a bomb in February 2006.
The absence of the two major blocs has delayed work on such key benchmark legislation as the oil bill, constitutional reform, scheduling local elections and restoring many former Saddam Hussein loyalists to government jobs. Those are among the 18 benchmarks that Washington uses to measure progress toward national reconciliation. A White House report last week found that Iraqis had made only limited progress, fueling calls for a U.S. troop withdrawal.
Sunnis also want the government to set aside an arrest warrant against the Sunni culture minister, accused of ordering an assassination attempt against a fellow Sunni legislator. Adnan al-Dulaimi, the Accordance Front leader, met Sunday with al-Maliki to discuss the Sunni boycott. After the meeting, al-Dulaimi's spokesman, Muhannad al-Issawi, said that the boycott would continue and if the speaker were replaced, the decision should be made by the Sunnis and "not imposed" by Shiites and Kurds.
But al-Dulaimi was more optimistic about a settlement that would allow the Sunnis to return. "Things are, God willing, on their way to be resolved," al-Dulaimi told The Associated Press. "The pending issue of al-Mashhadani and that of the minister of culture will be solved by the end of the week, and things will go back to their normal course." Hassan al-Suneid, a Shiite lawmaker close to al-Maliki, also said a deal was near under which al-Mashhadani could return to his post briefly, then permitted to retire.
Meanwhile, a member of the Shiite Sadr bloc said his faction would meet Monday with parliament leaders to discuss their own boycott, launched to protest delays in rebuilding a Shiite shrine in Samarra that was damaged by a bomb in February 2006.
The absence of the two major blocs has delayed work on such key benchmark legislation as the oil bill, constitutional reform, scheduling local elections and restoring many former Saddam Hussein loyalists to government jobs. Those are among the 18 benchmarks that Washington uses to measure progress toward national reconciliation. A White House report last week found that Iraqis had made only limited progress, fueling calls for a U.S. troop withdrawal.
Labels: Adnan Dulaimi, Hassan al-Suneid, Iraqi Accordance Front, Mahmoud Al Mashahdani, Nouri Al-Maliki, Sadrist bloc
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Blocs opposing new candidates delay reshuffle
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - An Iraqi Parliamentarian from the Kurdistan Coalition said on Monday that a number of parliamentarian blocs' objection to the candidates for the vacant portfolios led to a delay in the lawmakers' voting. "The Sadrist bloc, lawmakers loyal to the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, argued that the candidates are not independent or technocratic enough," Mahmoud Othman told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
Six ministers, from the Sadrist bloc, withdrew from the government in mid April and the Shiite cleric Sadr authorized the Iraqi Prime Minister to select alternatives from the qualified independent characters. The Sadrist bloc, a main component of the Shiite parliamentary bloc, has 30 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
"A number of the parliament's members left the session when it was presented for discussion, which led to lack of quorum," Othman also said.
"The last session was attended by 171 members, but they were busy discussing issues on protecting the parliament's building and when the time came to vote for the reshuffle, only 110 members were present and it was not sufficient according to the constitution to vote for a reshuffle which necessitate the presence of no less than 138 members," he explained.
"The vacant ministries are important as most offer services and there should be an understanding between the blocs to settle the whole issue," the lawmaker noted. He voiced hope over settling the issue in Tuesday's session.
Six ministers, from the Sadrist bloc, withdrew from the government in mid April and the Shiite cleric Sadr authorized the Iraqi Prime Minister to select alternatives from the qualified independent characters. The Sadrist bloc, a main component of the Shiite parliamentary bloc, has 30 seats out of the 275-seat parliament.
"A number of the parliament's members left the session when it was presented for discussion, which led to lack of quorum," Othman also said.
"The last session was attended by 171 members, but they were busy discussing issues on protecting the parliament's building and when the time came to vote for the reshuffle, only 110 members were present and it was not sufficient according to the constitution to vote for a reshuffle which necessitate the presence of no less than 138 members," he explained.
"The vacant ministries are important as most offer services and there should be an understanding between the blocs to settle the whole issue," the lawmaker noted. He voiced hope over settling the issue in Tuesday's session.
Labels: Kurdistan Coalition, Mahmoud Othman, Sadrist bloc
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sadrists won't vote on six new candidates for ministerial positions
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - The Sadrist bloc, or members of parliament loyal to Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, will not vote on the six candidates proposed to occupy their former ministerial portfolios on the grounds that they are not "technocratic enough," a spokesman for the Sadrists said on Saturday.
The six ministerial positions became vacant after Sadr withdrew his six ministers from the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in April 2007 in protest against its failure to come up with a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops and to provide necessary services for Iraqis.
"Our objection did not rest on the fact that we are members of the Sadrist bloc but rather as members of the Iraqi parliament. The ministers of the Sadrist bloc were better than the new candidates from both practical and independence perspectives," spokesman Nassar al-Rubaie told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) during a parliamentary session on Sunday.
He said some of the new candidates have been outside Iraq for more than 25 years. Maliki, during a session of the Iraqi parliament on Thursday, proposed the names of the candidates to fill the ministerial vacancies left by the six ministers loyal to leader Sadr last month. The Sadrist members of parliament are part of the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest bloc with 30 seats out of the total 275.
The six ministerial positions became vacant after Sadr withdrew his six ministers from the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in April 2007 in protest against its failure to come up with a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops and to provide necessary services for Iraqis.
"Our objection did not rest on the fact that we are members of the Sadrist bloc but rather as members of the Iraqi parliament. The ministers of the Sadrist bloc were better than the new candidates from both practical and independence perspectives," spokesman Nassar al-Rubaie told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) during a parliamentary session on Sunday.
He said some of the new candidates have been outside Iraq for more than 25 years. Maliki, during a session of the Iraqi parliament on Thursday, proposed the names of the candidates to fill the ministerial vacancies left by the six ministers loyal to leader Sadr last month. The Sadrist members of parliament are part of the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition (UIC), the largest bloc with 30 seats out of the total 275.
Labels: ministerial candidates, Sadrist bloc
Monday, April 16, 2007
Al-Sadr's bloc withdraw from government
Politics
(RFE/RL) - The political movement of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered its ministers to withdraw from the Iraqi cabinet. Nassar al-Rubay'i, the head of al-Sadr's bloc in parliament, presented lawmakers with a statement from al-Sadr announcing that the ministers would resign immediately.
Lawmakers close to al-Sadr say the move is an attempt to pressure Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal from Iraq of U.S.-led foreign troops. Al-Sadr's group has six cabinet ministers in al-Maliki's government, and some 30 lawmakers in the 275-member parliament. Only the cabinet members are expected to resign.
Violence continued in Iraq on April 15, with more than 40 people reported killed in a series of bomb and suicide attacks in Baghdad. The United States military has announced the deaths of three more U.S. service personnel in Iraq, while Britain said two British service members died when two helicopters apparently collided in midair north of Baghdad.
Lawmakers close to al-Sadr say the move is an attempt to pressure Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal from Iraq of U.S.-led foreign troops. Al-Sadr's group has six cabinet ministers in al-Maliki's government, and some 30 lawmakers in the 275-member parliament. Only the cabinet members are expected to resign.
Violence continued in Iraq on April 15, with more than 40 people reported killed in a series of bomb and suicide attacks in Baghdad. The United States military has announced the deaths of three more U.S. service personnel in Iraq, while Britain said two British service members died when two helicopters apparently collided in midair north of Baghdad.
COMMENT: The Sadrists were instrumental in supporting Maliki's coming to power, so in an already fragile political Shiite coalition he will lose his strongest support base and the chasm within the UIA will widen. With al-Sadr out of the government, Maliki will also have less bargaining chips when trying to control Shiite death squads related to the Mahdi Army. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: government, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Sadrist bloc
