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Compiled by Daily Star staff
Despite the rising violence, a confident George W. Bush said the vote will be “an incredibly hopeful experience,” a day after nine
Speaking in an interview, Hakim said: “Whether the Sunnis have many or few seats in the next parliament, we need the real participation of all.” He said: “All must participate in the governmental authority and we will insist that they [Sunnis] be represented in the government, that they have posts and they should also have a voice in drafting the constitution and responsibilities in the government.
This is what we are seeking to achieve.
” The comments were the most explicit to date by the Shiite leader concerning the Sunni minority, who are largely expected to skip the vote due to political disenchantment and fear of insurgent attacks. Earlier in the week, Hakim, the head of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in
Hakim’s comments also come amid more calls by Sunni religious leaders to delay the polls. During Friday prayers, Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Somaidie of the Sunnis’ Association of Muslim Scholars called for unity among Muslims but repeated Sunnis’ demand that the vote be delayed. “Elections have to be an Iraqi demand, not the demand of the foreign countries. For that reason, we have to be unified and agreed on one word to free
“If such things happen, we must take into consideration all of their interests. The permanent constitution should be accepted by all components, by all the people of
Amid increasing unrest, The New York Times reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was sending Gen. Gary Luck, who formerly headed
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, confirming the move, said Luck, who is also an adviser to the military’s Joint Forces Command, would chiefly assess progress in the training of Iraqi security forces but also look at overall
“I’m sure he will share what he learns with the combatant commanders there as well as the leadership back at the Pentagon.” Senior
With elections due on Jan. 30, Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi extended emergency laws for 30 days in a bid to thwart ongoing violence. On Thursday, Allawi said he expected attacks would increase before the vote and called the decision to prolong the state of emergency a precaution. He blamed former members of Saddam Hussein’s regime for the continuing violence. Bush’s administration and Allawi have insisted that the elections go forward. Bush was optimistic Friday insisting most Iraqi regions would be able to organize the vote on schedule. “I know it’s hard for a reason, and the reason is that there is a handful of folks that fear freedom,” Bush said. He acknowledged security problems in four of
9-1-2005
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