Posted on 03/16/2008 9:12:25 AM PDT by tobyhill
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi lawmakers overcame weeks of deadlock Wednesday to pass three key measures: a $48-billion national budget, an amnesty bill and legislation paving the way for provincial elections by Oct. 1.
Approval of the bills could signal a greater willingness by Iraq's main ethnic and religious factions to overcome differences that have stymied political progress. Lawmakers said the measures would generate economic development and could speed the return of Sunni Arab ministers who walked out of the Shiite Muslim-led government.
Analysts cautioned, however, that Iraqi leaders remained deeply divided on key issues, including the distribution of Iraq's massive oil wealth and the future of disputed territories such as oil-rich Kirkuk.
"These are issues that go to the heart of the differences between Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds," said Joost Hilterman, Middle East director for the International Crisis Group. "We are far from out of the tunnel."
Even as many Iraqi politicians celebrated a package of bills they said would foster reconciliation, some Sunni and Shiite representatives had walked out in a huff over certain clauses and the decision to hold one combined vote on the three measures.
At a news briefing in Baghdad, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker acknowledged that many challenges remained, but said the bills passed Wednesday were "important steps forward."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
What we need is POLITICAL victory in Iraq!
True. However, the dhimmocrats did "succeed" in raising EVERYONE'S taxes by letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire.
Way to go, "Wrong-Way" Dhimmis! Your ability to fail at everything will make people yearn for the Bush years once he's out of office.
I suppose this is good news.
the last time these bills were passed, they were vetoed,
or not?
Only one was vetoed. The other two are law.
They are negotiating changes to get the third thru...
to post 6.
please, be as specific as you can.
what was vetoed in the past?
The 3 law package in this article.
Of the three, the reconciliation law was rejected by council of presidents.
Provential Powers Legilation was the veto.
Holds up elections...
http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/254340983/0,2933,339328,00.html
Now they have all past...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.