Iraqi lawmakers take their time

[rodeodance]

Source: LAT





From the Los Angeles Times

Iraqi lawmakers take their time
Even with U.S. pressure to pass key legislation, there is a distinct lack of urgency.
By Molly Hennessy-Fiske
Times Staff Writer

July 27, 2007

BAGHDAD — Missing from Thursday's session of the Iraqi parliament were about half of the members, including the speaker, the former speaker and two former prime ministers.

Also missing: a sense of urgency.

American officials have been pressing Iraqi leaders to prove their commitment to ending sectarian strife by enacting landmark legislation before mid-September, when the Bush administration is to present its next report on Iraq to Congress.

But even as parliament's monthlong August break approaches, key issues aren't being discussed. Quorums are marginal, or fleeting.

Despite the high stakes here, the Iraqi parliament appears to be deliberating at a pace to rival plodding legislative bodies around the world.........

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-fg-missing27jul27,0,4508518.story?coll=la-home-center

[ixion]

1. they won't get serious until we leave

so we need to leave now.