Delay in handover could lead to civil war, warns Iraq cleric

[hedgetrimmer]

~SNIP~
CHARLES ALDINGER IN BAGHDAD


ELECTIONS in Iraq will not be possible until the end of the year at the earliest, the United Nations said yesterday, as a suicide bomber killed 13 policemen and fears grew that any delay to the transfer of power could provoke a civil war.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy to Iraq, said that while there was broad consensus for a provisional government to be formed by 30 June, direct elections would only be possible by the end of 2004, even if preparations began immediately.He added that the preferred option of the United States - for a system of regional caucuses to elect the government - "does not appear to enjoy sufficient support among Iraqis to be a viable option any longer".

The US had intended to transfer power on 30 June, to a government chosen by regional council, but the plans were thrown into disarray when Shiite clergy demanded the government be chosen by direct elections.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Husseini al-Sistani, Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, appears to have grudgingly accepted the UN judgment, but another senior cleric warned yesterday that delaying national elections would create a "time-bomb that could explode at any minute".
... more ...
link: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=216712004

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also this article on msnbc
~SNIP~
U.N. sees Iraq elections late in '04 at earliest
Preparations would need to start now, report saysThe Associated Press

Updated: 12:04 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2004UNITED NATIONS - Elections for a new Iraqi government would be possible by the end of the year or early in 2005 if preparations for them began immediately, a U.N. envoy said in a report released Monday.

Lakhdar Brahimi said there was broad consensus for a provisional government to be formed by June 30. But he also said the preferred U.S. option — for a system of regional caucuses to elect the government — “does not appear to enjoy sufficient support among Iraqis to be a viable option any longer.”

Brahimi’s report, issued after a U.N. election team went to Baghdad, said Iraq would need at least eight months to prepare credible national elections, and only then if all the conditions for security are met and a legal framework is agreed on.

According to the report, a political agreement on setting up that framework could be achieved by May. That would mean, according to the report, “elections could be held by the end of this year or shortly thereafter.”

... more ...
link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4312686/

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all out war in Afghanistan, possibly all out in Iraq... it don't look good for georgie.... and/or anybody else who went for war.

[Mari333]

1. Looks worst of all for the soldiers sitting over there

bring them home now.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[hedgetrimmer]

2. nope, it don't look like it'll be good for 'em neither.. n/t

[grytpype]

3. "elections could be held by the end of this year or shortly thereafter.”

Bremer said elections were impossible for a year to 18 months. Seems the UN doesn't agree, they say elections are possible at or near the end of this year.