Thank Bu$h the idiot for this insanity!
US-led authority in Iraq threatens regional stability: AL
CAIRO: The US-led coalition in Iraq is threatening the country's stability
by empowering Kurdish and Shiite groups, according to an Arab League (AL)
report.
The report, drawn up by an Arab League delegation that visited Iraq in
December, also warns that such empowerment could destabilise neighbouring
countries.
The report is circulating among the 22-member Arab League, but has not
been
made public. The Associated Press saw a copy on Saturday.
It reflects the concern among Arab countries that changes in the sharing
of
power in a post-Saddam government could give too much authority to the
Kurdish and Shiite groups, and that those minority groups in neighbouring
countries would be inspired to rise up and demand more power.
"Iraqis find geographical and ethnic federalism a prelude to division of
the
country," the report said.
The report does not name the country's Shiites, but it uses the term
"sectarianism" to refer to Shiite and Kurdish political aspirations.
President Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Jalal Talabani rejected the
report. The PUK is one of two main Kurdish parties controlling northern
Iraq.
"Those chauvinists are trying to demonise federalism to scare
simple-minded
people and poison their minds," Talabani wrote in an article published on
Saturday in daily Asharq al-Awsat.
The Arab League delegation, headed by Assistant Secretary General Ahmed
Bin
Heli, spent 10 days in Iraq meeting with members of the Governing Council,
the cabinet, religious leaders, tribal chiefs and trade union
representatives. Its findings will be formally submitted to a meeting of
Arab foreign ministers in March and later to an Arab summit.
"The makeup of the Governing Council was among the reasons which have
helped
to sow the seeds of sectarianism," a section of the 50-page document read.
The majority of 13 seats on the 25-member Governing Council and the
Cabinet
were given to politicians representing the Shiite majority. The other
seats
are divided among five Kurds, five Sunnis, one Christian and one Turkman.
Arab League spokesman Hossam Zaki said the report is intended to "reflect
what the delegation found" in Iraq rather than to blame any particular
group.
"That was our finding. (Sectarianism) might become a source for serious
problems," he said.
