http://www.nysun.com/article/5930~snip~
Yesterday's caucus didn't bypass the voters, but it seems likely to prevent a divisive political campaign between rival Shiite factions that could have left other Iraqi parties, like Sunnis or Kurds, in position to wield an effective majority.
For President Bush, who has an interest in a peaceful Iraq that serves as a democratic model, the outcome signaled by the results of yesterday's meeting poses both risks and opportunities. Some fear that a Shiite-dominated Iraq could fall under the influence of Iran, which has been an Islamic theocracy since the 1979 revolution. But others say it could point the way to Iraqi self-rule, since Shiites represent, at a minimum, a 60% majority in the country.
~snip~
Until yesterday, it appeared likely that the Shiite vote would split between two factions - one blessed by the powerful Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and a smaller faction led by the Shiite Political Council, which presented itself as more independent of Iranian influence. The leader of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmad Chalabi, formed the council in June after falling out of favor with Washington and being iced out of the transitional government that took power on June 30.
Last night after six hours of intense talks, the two factions were brought together and agreed to field the same slate of candidates, a participant in the discussions told The New York Sun on condition of anonymity. This source said that the compromise gave the Shiite Political Council a better ranking for their candidates on the unified Shiite ballot, increasing the chances that individuals independent of the two major Iran-backed parties would secure positions in the new parliament. The list will be made public tomorrow at a press conference in Baghdad.
Under the new agreement, Mr. Chalabi, and other top leaders of the Shiite Political Council are almost guaranteed a spot in the new legislature. While the same can be said for the leaders of the two major Iran-backed parties - Dawa and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, these parties will no longer monopolize the top positions on the Shiite list. Also guaranteed 30 seats will be the party of Muqtada al-Sadr, the firebrand cleric whose militia challenged American troops earlier this year in a standoff in the holy city of Najaf. Placement on the list reflects political clout and Mr. al- Sistani has assigned the top slots to handpicked and largely unknown independents.
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