Baghdad mayor threatens to resign over lack of funds

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=16384

Baghdad mayor threatens to resign over lack of funds


Compiled by Daily Star staff
Friday, July 01, 2005


Baghdad's mayor threatened to resign if the government fails to provide the funds and support needed to implement development projects in the capital, complaining Baghdadis were suffering from water shortages. Meanwhile, an Iraqi politician received death threats a day after launching a party that would represent the "resistance."

In a bid to improve relations with its neighbor, a delegation sent by Damascus met with Deputy Foreign Minister, Hamid al-Bayyati, to discuss preparations for the reopening of the Syrian Embassy in Baghdad. Bayyati's office declined to give details on the meeting.

"It's useless for any official to stay in office without having the means to accomplish his job," Baghdad Mayor Alaa Mahmoud al-Timimi said in a news conference.

He said President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari had promised him to secure the needed funds.

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[bullimiami]

1. what? he didnt get his bag o cash?

oh well.

[asjr]

2. I suggest he look up Paul Bremer.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Baghdad's mayor bemoans crumbling capital

Posted on Thu, Jun. 30, 2005

Baghdad's mayor bemoans crumbling capital

FRANK GRIFFITHS
Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Baghdad's mayor decried the capital's crumbling infrastructure and its inability to supply enough clean water to residents, threatening Thursday to resign if the government won't provide more money.

The statement from Mayor Alaa Mahmoud al-Timimi was an indication of the daily misery that Baghdad's 6.45 million people still endure more than two years after the U.S.-led invasion. They are wracked not only by unrelenting bombings and kidnappings, but by serious shortages in water, electricity and fuel.

"It's useless for any official to stay in office without the means to accomplish his job," al-Timimi told reporters.

Al-Timimi is seeking $1.5 billion for Baghdad in 2005 but so far has received only $85 million, said his spokesman, Ameer Ali Hasson.

Efforts to expand Baghdad's water projects were set back earlier this month when insurgents sabotaged a pipeline near Baghdad. Now, some complain the water they do get smells bad, and Hasson acknowledged in some areas, the water gets mixed with sewage.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12023212.htm
(Free registration required)

"Bemoans???"

[TrogL]

4. It probably makes better sense in Arabic

"Bemoans???"

[eissa]

5. Even during the heaviest bombing

campaigns at the height of the Iraq/Iran war, we were still able to call my family in Baghdad. Not so now. I haven't spoken to them in nearly a year because the phone lines in their (rather quiet) neighborhood are still down. Try going without phone service for a week and see how well you do; I don't know how they've been able to tolerate it this long.

[ovidsen]

7. It's worse??

I've read some reports from Baghdad which say that situation there with basics like water, sanitation, electricity and telephones have drastically deteriorated in recent months. If true, I can't blame Baghdad mayor al-Timimi for threatening to quit.

But some of my neoconned acquaintances cite other reports claiming the situation has actually improved in Iraq to defend the US occupation.

I'm inclined to believe that public utilities in Baghdad are as bad as they've ever been. If you or anyone has nifty links to support this, please pass 'em on. Thanks.

[Supersedeas]

6. the Corporate Media needs a distraction these days

[Barrett808]

8. Mayor of Baghdad says city crumbling

Mayor of Baghdad says city crumbling
Patrick Quinn, Associated Press
July 1, 2005 IRAQ0701

BAGHDAD -- Baghdad's mayor decried the capital's crumbling infrastructure and its inability to supply enough clean water to residents, threatening Thursday to resign if the government won't provide more money.

Mayor Alaa Mahmoud al-Timimi's statement was an indication of the daily misery that Baghdad's 6.45 million people still endure more than two years after the U.S.-led invasion. They are wracked not only by unrelenting bombings and kidnappings, but by shortages of water, electricity and fuel.

"It's useless for any official to stay in office without the means to accomplish his job," Al-Timimi told reporters. He is seeking $1.5 billion for Baghdad in 2005 but so far has received only $85 million, said his spokesman, Ameer Ali Hasson.

(more)

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5485365.html