Iraq, close to two months since the election, continues to muddle along without any form of government. I realize this isn't really news to anyone, but I did think it worth pointing out. Some highlights:
Prominent politicians also said in interviews that the delay in forming a government could force the assembly to take an extra half-year to write the permanent constitution, pushing the deadline for a first draft well beyond the original target date of Aug. 15. That means the delay could significantly throw off the timetable for the establishment of a full-term democratically elected government. (Emphasis mine.)
I'm sure that everyone in Iraq will nicely sit on their hands and wait calmly thoughout the delay. Especially the Sunnis, who don't have any seats to speak of in this parliament.
The part of the meeting today that was open to reporters lasted only 20 minutes. After Mr. Sadr vented his frustrations over the protracted talks, the second member to do so, the temporary head of the assembly, Sheik Dhari al-Fayadh, suggested that the television feed from the room be switched off. Some members protested, saying the public should be allowed to see the proceedings, but the feed was discontinued nonetheless.
No government, but at least they have open deliberations...no, wait, sorry: they don't have that either.
The politicians also said they were trying to negotiate with Sunni Arab leaders to see what government posts the Sunnis might be willing to take. The former governing Sunni Arabs largely boycotted the elections, and some of them are now struggling to organize themselves to take part in the new government. Haichem al-Hassani, a prominent Sunni politician and the minister of industry, said the Shiites and Kurds were trying to "impose on the Sunnis who they should appoint for different positions." Mr. Haichem said he is vying for the post of minister of defense, responsible for overseeing the Iraqi Army. (Emphasis mine.)
I'm sure that putting a Sunni in charge of the Army will make everyone else feel better. After all, there is no recent history in Iraq of the Sunnis being violent to any other ethnic group...
If they can't agree on who's going to run the temporary govenment, how are they going to agree on the permenant constitution?
Posted by baltar at March 29, 2005 12:44 PM | TrackBack | Posted to International Affairs