Shiites End Talks With Al-Sistani Group

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A group of 38 Shiite Muslim political parties broke off negotiations Tuesday with backers of Iraq (news - web sites)'s most influential Shiite cleric, claiming a candidate list under discussion was dominated by religious extremists.



"We don't want to be an extension of Iran inside Iraq," said Hussein al-Mousawi, spokesman for the Shiite Political Council. "We found out that the top 10 names in the list are extremist Shiite Islamists who believe in the rule of religious clerics."


Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has assigned a committee of six of his aides to try to put together a unified Shiite ticket for the Jan. 30 national election, during which Iraqis will select a 275-member assembly.


Under Iraq's election laws, there will be no electoral districts; instead, voters nationwide will cast ballots for the same candidates. A party will gain seats based on the percentage of votes it receives, meaning the top positions on the list are the most assured of victory.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041130/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_shiite_politics&cid=540&ncid=1480

[BeyondGeography]

1. We're peein' on a hornet's nest

and, lo and behold, the hornets are buzzing.

Maybe we can hire Saddam as a political consultant for pointers on how to bring all these unruly factions in line.

[Massacure]

2. If Iraq gets a parliament, why can't we?

[Disturbed]

3. The present U.S. Pupet Govt.

What are the odds that this gang gets elected?