LEADING IRAQI RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALLS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS

The Iranian Student Movement Up to the Minute Reports ^ | 11-27-03 | IPS

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LEADING IRAQI RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALLS FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS

BAGHDAD, 27 Nov. (IPS) Two senior Iraqi clerics from the Shiite majority called for general elections to and an elected Iraqi administration independent from the American Administration led by Mr. Paul Bremmer, Mr. Jalal Talabani, chairman of the US-backed Governing Council announced.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani (the highest authority for the Iraqi Shi’ites) wants full elections for all Iraqi administrative and political bodies to be formed in the future", Mr. Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of (Iraqi) Kurdistan was quoted by the French news agency AFP as having told reporters.

"Ayatollah Sistani wants the Iraqi people to be consulted. He wants elections to be held for the municipal councils as well as the legislative council", Mr. Talabani said, explaining that this is the "one reservation" the Grand Ayatollah has with the agreement, signed by the interim Governing Council and the US-led authority on November 15 for the transfer of political power to Iraqis.

"All that Grand Ayatollah Sistani wants is that the Administration must represent truly the people of Iraq and be based on Islam and Sh’ia principles", Ayatollah Abdolqasem Dibaji, the Representative of Mr. Sistani in Kuwait told the Persian service of Radio France International on Thursday.

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