Enjoy, Iraqis; everything always ends up in court.
"Winning parliament candidate is disqualified by Iraqi court; Decision could reverse defeat of prime minister" by Steven Lee Myers, New York Times | April 27, 2010
BAGHDAD — Seven weeks after Iraqis went to the polls, a special elections court disqualified a winning parliamentary candidate, probably reversing the narrow defeat of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition and possibly allowing him the first chance to form a new coalition government.
The court disqualified the candidate on charges that he was a loyalist of Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath Party. It left open the possibility of barring others.
Moves by the court, if upheld on appeal, will erase the two-seat victory by a largely secular coalition led by Ayad Allawi, a Shi’ite who served as an interim prime minister after the American overthrow of Hussein.
You know this means war, right?
Unless U.S. gets 'em in a back room and says shake.
At a minimum, the ruling will further delay the formation of a new government through the months when the Obama administration plans to withdraw its combat troops, leaving a force of only 50,000 by September.
Don't worry; they have a Plan B.
Iraqi officials now grimly predict that there might not be a new government by that deadline, putting the United States in the difficult position of deciding whether to press ahead with its plans despite the political uncertainty here....
Depends if we need the troops to invade some other place.
The machinations over the results have also cast doubt on the ultimate fairness of an election that was seen as a test of Iraq’s nascent democracy and the ability of the United States to withdraw.
Oh, don't say that. Not another western election made of pooh-pooh.
The political impasse has revived sectarian tensions that are never far from the surface and has raised the specter of even more violence....
Especially with "Al-CIA-Duh" wandering around.
"Iraqi official calls on West to do more to end election impasse; Foreign minister also warns of a political vacuum" by Lara Jakes, Associated Press | May 2, 2010
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s foreign minister chided the United States and Britain for not taking an active role in resolving his country’s bitter election dispute and accused Washington of being more concerned with sending home US soldiers.
What, rigging the boxes not enough?
I think the Anglo-AmeriKan murderers have done quiet enough, thank you, and to HELL with what WE WANT in OUR DEMOCRACY, 'eh, Iraqi stooge?
That's what you are going to get, Iraqis.
In an interview published yesterday in a London-based Arabic language newspaper, Hoshyar Zebari complained that the United States and Britain have stood on the sidelines of the current dispute....
Zebari also suggested that Washington should reconsider its Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawing all US military combat troops from Iraq if a new government is still not formed by midsummer.
I am SO SICK and TIRED of the AGENDA-PUSHING CRAP!
Fine, stay, whatever!
“The American opinion so far is to let Iraqis solve their problems by themselves,’’ Zebari said. “Their message to us is: ‘Solve your problems quickly so that we can withdraw quickly.’ ’’
Yeah, that is called DEMOCRACY and LIBERATION!
Please don't tell us you DO NOT WANT IT NOW!!!
In a second interview, with Iraq’s al-Sharqiya TV, Zebari said neighboring counties were waiting for US troops to leave so they could step in and fill Iraq’s political vacuum.
I'll bet I can guess what country is named.
“This is one of the most dangerous things Iraq would face,’’ Zebari said. He did not name any specific countries, but many officials have voiced concern in recent weeks that Iran is seeking greater influence in Iraq.
I told you someone would.
Shortly after taking office last year, President Obama set the August deadline for sending home all but 50,000 US troops from Iraq. The White House can still push back that date, although US officials have insisted so far that the timeline stands.
They always lie to us before they do something so pass the salt shaker.
The top US military commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, said last year that he planned to hold troop levels steady until two months after the elections, primarily to give a new Iraqi government time to settle. But that timeframe expires next week, and Baghdad has made little headway on forming a new government.
So STAY PUT, soldier! Here is your stop-loss order!
The US Embassy in Baghdad did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue openly, disputed Zebari’s view. He said US officials meet regularly with Iraq’s rival political blocs....
See how much I care?
Compounding the political tension is widespread fear that Al Qaeda and other militants will take advantage of the impasse to launch attacks.
PFFFFFFTTT!!
New data from Iraq’s health, interior and defense ministries show that more civilians were killed in attacks in April than any other month so far in 2010.
Yeah, save the Iraqi dead and rising death toll (not even a number of souls, MSM?) for the afterthought sentence.
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I guess I should be thankful they reported it all because I'm full up of this s***:
"Iraq vote recount halted after protest; Dispute stalls formation of new government" by Rebecca Santana, Associated Press | May 4, 2010
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi prime minister’s coalition cried foul just one hour into a partial vote recount that began yesterday and demanded the process be halted, the latest political tussle delaying the formation of an Iraqi government in the aftermath of the close election....
Hey, U.S. and all signed off on it so, pffffffttt!
A senior US Embassy official, Gary Grappo, told reporters in a briefing Sunday before the recount began that the United States is concerned about the commission and what he called “its efforts to alter the results of a legitimate election.’’
Looks like you are out, Maliki.
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Also see: Occupation Iraq: Counting the Votes
I don't want to get my hands sullied by politics.
