Cleric Gives Tacit Approval to Iraq Govt. (Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani )

The Las Vegas Sun ^ | June 03, 2004 at 2:46:44 PDT | MARIAM FAM

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) -

Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric gave his tacit endorsement to the new interim government Thursday, and urged it to lobby the U.N. Security Council for full sovereignty to erase "all traces" of the American-run occupation.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani did say that the new government, appointed Tuesday by a U.N. envoy, lacks the "legitimacy of elections" and does not represent "in an acceptable manner all segments of Iraqi society and political forces."

"Nevertheless, it is hoped that this government will prove its efficiency and integrity and show resolve to carry out the enormous tasks that rest on its shoulders," al-Sistani said in a statement released by his office here.

Al-Sistani's opposition to the government would have severely undermined its credibility because of the cleric's influence among Iraq's Shiite majority, believed to comprise about 60 percent of the country's 25 million people.

Al-Sistani's objections to U.S. policy in Iraq effectively derailed at least two blueprints put forward by Washington to chart the political future of Iraq.

He had demanded elections to choose the government to take power from the U.S.-run occupation at the end of this month but dropped his insistence after U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi decided that an early ballot was not possible because of poor security.

Iraqis will choose a transitional government by the end of January and elect a new administration after ratification of the new constitution next year.

With the new government set to take over in weeks, al-Sistani said the main tasks were to secure Iraq's sovereignty, relieve the suffering of its people, restore security and prepare for the January elections.

"The new government should get a clear resolution from the U.N. Security Council restoring sovereignty to Iraqis - a full and complete sovereignty in all its political, economic, military and security forms and endeavor to erase all traces of the occupation," al-Sistani's statement said.

The United States and Britain have submitted a resolution to the Security Council laying down a blueprint for the transfer of sovereignty and seeking international endorsement. It does not spell out the interim government's sovereignty.

Many key council members have said they too want the resolution to fully detail the new government's power.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari was in New York with instructions from the new interim government to discuss the text with the 15 members. He was scheduled to brief the council at an open meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Al-Sistani said the new government cannot win popular support unless it proves "through practical and clear steps" that it is sincerely trying to achieve those goals.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Making progress.

[BMC1]

I sure am tired of seeing this old guy sitting on a couch reading the same old book.

I'll bet the only book he reads is the Koran.

[Lunatic Fringe]

The only thing that will ensure democracy in Iraq is if they understand "majority rule" vs "minority rights."

Democracy only succeeds when the rights of the minority party are guaranteed under the rule of the majority.

[BMC1]

There is a distinction between the Pope and a Muslim Cleric.

With the Pope the separation of church and state.

With Muslim clerics, there is NO SEPERATION.

Don't even go there.

[JustAnAmerican]

"Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani did say that the new government, appointed Tuesday by a U.N. envoy, lacks the "legitimacy of elections" and does not represent "in an acceptable manner all segments of Iraqi society and political forces."

Did I miss something here? I sure hope we did not let the UN appoint any freeking body in the Iraqi government. If after lots of American Blood and Money we let the UN decide who is in control then heads need to roll.

[JSteff]

People who ascribe to a religion voluntarily choose to be bound by it's rules and guidelines for their life. May I remind you that the Catholic Church is not a religion that advocates killing those who disagree with it.

Nor does it try to tell the followers what type of political system to live under, nor does it try to be a political system of government.

Big differences between the Pope and a moslem cleric.

[BMC1]

AMEN!!!!!

[Mister Baredog]

Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric gave his tacit endorsement to the new interim government Thursday,

More BAD NEWS for the Demoncrats!

I'm sure the L A Times will figure out how to make this into bad news so they can put it on the front page.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Would love to see the Shia come into power, cleanse the country of the sunni and the Kurds create their own country in the North.

[BMC1]

You missed the point. Religion is there for guidance on right and wrong. It is up to people to decide if they will follow the right path or the wrong path which puts the responsibility on the person NOT the religion.

Except the Muslim religion where there is no separation of church and state and because there is no separation, clerics make the laws to suit their desire to control people. There is no freedom of thought nor is their any freedom to discuss an opposing view point.

The ten commandments are there for all. They are not ten suggestions, they are commandments. All of which are there for the benefit of humanity.

The Muslim religion ignores the Te commandments and use the Koran to preach hatred and murder.

BIG DIFFERENCE.

[bobjam]

Al-Sistani's endorsement of the interim gov't is far more important than the opinion of the French. Sistani can make or break this whole thing. Then again, guess who JF'nK would try to get on board?

[BMC1]

While it is true the Catholic church held a lot of power centuries ago, the church has evolved to the point they do NOT control governments and they do allow discussion on items of disagreement. There are however certain things one must obey, which brings me back to the ten commandments which is an outline for living a happy life.

As to religions pulling political weight, that is true to some degree, but not totally.

In Islam, there is NO dissension permitted, there is no free thought.

There is a point in time in a persons life that he/she should grow up and think for themselves. If one's religion says that it's OK to kill a Jew or Christian or anyone else who doesn't believe in Islam, don't you think a normal person would find something is wrong with that thought?

Even people who have been brought up to hate a group of people can exercise free thought in their own mind. Don't you think a reasonable person can change that way of thinking?

[BMC1]

I will give you the point that the people changed the church rather than the other way around but the doctrine of the church has remained the same. However, you're talking about the church that evolved centuries ago while the Islamic religion has not changed since it's inception in the 7th century.

I gather from the wording of your reply, you don't care for the Catholic church or the Papacy. That's you prerogative. I disagree with you. Having one leader as head of the church makes it more unified.

Other religions having no single leader creates many problems. Islam is a good example of that. There are several factions none of whom agree with the other.

You have the same problem in protestant church. There many factions and they don't agree on everything.

It's only fair to tell you, I am a Catholic. I was raised a Catholic, went to Catholic school and lived in Catholic boarding school but that does not mean I'm in lock step with everything the church leaders have said or done.

While I may disagree with some of the things that have happened in recent years, I do believe in church doctrine and I like this Pope.