Shia leader calls for autonomous Shia region (Iraq)

[sabra]

Source: DPA

BAGHDAD - The leader of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq Ammar Al-Hakim on Wednesday called for the creation of an autonomous Shia region to help quell the ethnic conflict in Iraq.

“We strongly believe in the efficiency and significance of founding the autonomous region,” Al-Hakim said ahead of the Shia religious gathering to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him), in Karbala, some 100 kilometres south of Baghdad.

He added: “It (an autonomous region) will surely help in solving many security, political and social problems in Iraq, in addition to balancing the administration in the country.”

Al-Hakim urged Shias to seriously consider the idea, describing it as “vital and sensitive while planning the future of Iraq.”

Read more: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2008/February/focusoniraq_February116.xml§ion=focusoniraq

[Supersedeas]

1. paging Dr. Condi -- is there a competent Sec of State to be found?

[Tempest]

2. And naturally

He wants the oil region as the autonomous Shia region and to push the Sunnis into a barren area.

[Teaser]

3. Iraq's leadership is one long-running, really unfunny comedy tour.

Good thing we've been there to show them how that's done.

[kirby]

4. Paging Sen. Biden...

Your partition plan is being discussed...

[acmavm]

5. Deja vu vu vu. This was all predicted before Shock and Awe.

And it wasn't the Amazing Kreskin either. The whole world knew that the country would shatter like broken glass.