Iraq Shi'ite clerics say poll list not made in Iran

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/NUE758962.htm

NAJAF, Iraq, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite clerics dismissed on Friday accusations that an electoral bloc list expected to dominate Iraq's Jan. 30 election was made in Iran and could usher in an Iranian-style Shi'ite Islamic state.

They insisted they wanted democracy, not clerical rule.

Iraqi Defence Minister Hazim Shaalan said this week that a nuclear scientist who helped form the powerful United Iraqi Alliance list under the auspices of Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was effectively an Iranian agent.

Hussain al-Shahristani was widely tipped in June to become Iraq's interim prime minister, but secular Shi'ite Iyad Allawi, whose slate Shaalan is running on, got the post.

"Two days ago, some political midgets said a well-known scientific figure with a bright history could not, through elections, become prime minister," said Sheikh Ahmed al-Safi, who is considered close to Sistani.

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[MindLikeAParachute]

1. I smell trouble brewing

I'd hate for the shi'ite/sunni split to turn into another Iran/Iraq war.

Don't hold near any open flames.