Shiite leader rejects U.S. plan for Iraq

FResno Bee ^ | 1/23/04 | Hamza Hendawi - AP

[NormsRevenge]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S.-backed plan for handing over power to Iraqis is unacceptable as it stands, according to a top Shiite Muslim leader who met with President Bush this week.

However, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim said Friday that the Americans, as well as others, are slowly coming around to the need for elections to chose a new legislature rather than have the members named by 18 regional caucuses.

[NormsRevenge]

Iraqi Shiite cleric Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim discusses
his recent visit with President Bush in Washington D.C.
during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad.

AP Photo/Hadi Mizban

[SunStar]

Now that we are no longer oppressed, it is our wish to begin oppressing the Sunnis who oppressed us!

[NormsRevenge]

This chap?

Wed Jan 21,11:50 AM ET
Iraqi interim Governing Council President Adnan Pachachi (C) acknowledges applause before the 'State of the Union' address by US President George W. Bush (news - web sites). US and Iraqi leaders played down the chances for general elections ahead of the June power transfer -- the key demand of Iraq (news - web sites)'s Shiite majority.(AFP/Luke Frazza)

[NormsRevenge]

I think he was here as part of a diplomatic visit. He headed for Switzerland, it would seem.

Aleksander Kwasniewski, president of Poland, left, greets Adnan Pachachi, member of the Iraqi interim Governing Council, at a bilateral meeting during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (news - web sites), in Davos, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 23, 2004. (AP Photo/Keystone/Fabrice Coffrini)