'Iraqi lawmakers are already taking off more time than members of the U.S. Congress know about'

[bigtree]

Raucous Iraqi Parliament Makes Little Progress


NPR Morning Edition, May 15, 2007 · Iraq's Parliament is increasingly hamstrung . . .

It's unlikely the bills will be debated before Iraqi lawmakers break for their two-month summer vacation in June.

The prospect of such a long holiday in the midst of political crisis, both here and in Washington, has infuriated U.S. officials and politicians. But Mahmoud Othman says Iraqi lawmakers are already taking off more time than members of the U.S. Congress know about.

"Every month we work two weeks," Othman said. "That's another point people should know about ... we are working half the time. So it's two-to-three hours a day, two weeks a month and then there is a holiday. So it's sort of a disaster."

Lawmaker Shatha al-Moussawi says U.S. objections to the vacation schedule here have only made matters worse, saying it sends a message that Iraqis "don't have any control" of their own country and "receive orders from America."

In the streets of Baghdad, the Iraqi Parliament's reputation is at rock bottom . . .

audio: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10183647

[Dhalgren]

1. This is what every American parent supports sending their

children to die for! George Bush wants to fight for the Iraqi governments right to party. God save the Queen!

[TahitiNut]

2. Many of them are apparently commuting from Jordan and Syria.

I guess it's too dangerous for them to actually live in their own country.