Iraqi council leader criticizes U.S. plan

[buycitgo]

A U.S.-backed plan to give Iraqis sovereignty over their country again quickly appeared to be unraveling Thursday as a leading politician backed complaints by Shiite authorities that the process was not democratic enough.

Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi Governing Council's president, said he agreed with the criticism of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the country's leading Shiite cleric, and expected revisions in the plan

snip

Al-Sistani's grievances are seen as a serious setback for the U.S.-led rebuilding effort. Renegotiating a deal could delay the handing over of sovereignty, jeopardize efforts to diminish the U.S. military presence in Iraq and undercut the White House's insistence that it is in control of the situation.

Plans for a U.S.-financed media campaign to promote the agreement have been put on hold, said coalition officials.

Coalition officials and the Iraqis insist that they do not want a confrontation, but the situation puts two of the most powerful people in Iraq at odds: al-Sistani and Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator overseeing the reconstruction.

this seems a very important, and completely ignored story, that, if things continue along the lines seemingly generated by the LEADING Shiite (putatively pro Boo-sh), look for this to complicate things greatly for the PNACkers in charge

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0311280264nov28,1,6521402.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed

[Robin Hood]

1. LOL..."the process was not democratic enough"

Welcome to our world.

[J B]

2. So, let me get this straight.

The IGC leader meets with Al-Sistani to hear his concerns in person since they had been relayed by third parties before.

Al-Sistani tells the IGC leader that the process is not democratic enough.

The IGC leader tells the media, "Lo and Behold! The process is not democratic enough!"

It seems easy to see who has the clout in this process.

[buycitgo]

3. excellent point, but must we be so sarcastic.....they work for us!

don't they?

well, maybe not Chalabi. can you imagine what's going to happen to him if the clerics are allowed to take over? that is, if he stays in the country. is he even there now? everybody knows that a sizable proportion of the "council" is gone most of the time.

and, with the clerics being the apparent stringpullers in Baghdad, Bremer must be pretty sick of getting the hot end of the poker from everyplace to which he pingpongs back and forth.

can't wait to see the day that perpetual smile disappears from his yap forEVER.

can't be much longer in coming

and what do you think, WRT the import of this sort of behind the scenes intrigue?

sure looks like evidence of impending chaos, doesn't it?

huh?

[buycitgo]

4. yecccchhhhhhhh! just saw Talibani on the news

he was gushing over the fact that the leader of a "superpower" like Boo-sh (sorry about Object of prep disagreement) of the US would deign to visit his little parcel of hell.

really nauseating. can't imagine how he must've prostrated himself before Al-Sistani

[buycitgo]

5. let's hope this becomes a pattern

will the NYT, or a TV media pick this up?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php#246655

two major papers, very intriguing plot line, but no nobbers, brave president moving among the troops.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23902-2003Nov30.html

[jenk]

6. Chalabi is going to have his legs broke

[buycitgo]

7. if he's lucky

where in NJ?

used to go to Somerville all the time to visit friend.

Raritan river in backyard....dairy farm

Duke Estate.......

rode bikes from Morristown back to her place......'over' the Wachungs.

so pretty there

[cthrumatrix]

8. democracy is messy....this is why the US abandoned it in favor of

corruption, greed and selling terra 24x7