Posted on 05/03/2006 10:44:36 AM PDT by jmc1969
Iraqi politicians involved in negotiations on the formation of a new government said on Wednesday that an agreement on the top five ministries is close.
The main political blocs hope to overcome wrangling over positions to form a government of national unity that will attempt to tackle sectarian violence and the battered economy and repair a crippled infrastructure to provide basic services.
Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister-designate from the dominant Shi'ite Islamist Alliance, has until May 22 to present a cabinet to parliament -- a month from his nomination, which ended months of political stalemate after an election in December.
Political blocs say they are using a complex points system based primarily on results from December's election to determine how many ministries are allocated to each grouping. Khudheyir al-Khuzai, a member of the Alliance, which holds just under half the seats in parliament, said Kurds were insisting on keeping the foreign ministry, while Shi'ites hoped to keep the key, controversial interior portfolio. The secular list of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi might now get defence.
"The United Iraqi Alliance hopes it will take the Interior Ministry," Khuzai said on the sidelines of Wednesday's session of parliament. "Defence may go to (Allawi's) Iraqi List."
Khuzai said there were many meetings every day in an effort to form the government: "The deadline to form the government is May 22, but Nuri al-Maliki has set himself a target of May 9. "We are willing to work 20 hours a day to achieve this."
(Excerpt) Read more at timesofoman.com ...
That all makes sense but the Shi'ites being given interior sounds a little scary.
There is one or two secular Shia from the UIA that I would support as Interior Minister. If they choose a religious Shia it would be real bad.
Bush's Fault (tm)
Guess the sled is at the top of the hill, just about ready to be pushed down the slope. Who knows, maybe in another week the ministry posts will be voted on.
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