Democracy in Ira* Ceremony - Oct 2004 ? one month b4

[drfemoe]

...P2 ...
"Some Iraqis perceive the process as being too rushed to fit the American presidential elections," said Mowaffak al-Rubaie, a member of the Governing Council who is close to Ayatollah Sistani. "We don't mind helping our partners. We understand their requirements. And we will consider helping them."

The view that the United States elections play a major role in shaping Iraq's political future is widely held among council members.

Ahmad Chalabi, another council member, said: "The whole thing was set up so President Bush could come to the airport in October for a ceremony to congratulate the new Iraqi government. When you work backwards from that, you understand the dates the Americans were insisting on." American officials deny that electoral concerns played a role in their planning.

The Bremer plan, hastily put together with Iraqi leaders after his rushed meeting with President Bush in early November, also called for the Governing Council to set up a kind of bill of rights — including religious freedom and free speech, women's rights and civilian control of the military — by Feb. 28. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/27/international/middleeast/27IRAQ.html?ex=1070514000&

[drfemoe]

1. after the little turkey trip

this has a tad more meaning .. imagine THAT photo op :freak:


"The whole thing was set up so President Bush could come to the airport in October for a ceremony to congratulate the new Iraqi government. When you work backwards from that, you understand the dates the Americans were insisting on."

May we have Chalabi's view of the T'GIVING op?

[drfemoe]

2. n/t

:kick: