Al-Haeiri rejects forming a government under foreign umbrella
Iraq-USA, Politics, 5/6/2003

The American occupation forces have started to test ability to establish an Iraqi- self- rule authority in preparation for the set option of "international division" it has been discussing with its allies, while the director of the American civil administration Jay Garner is preparing for the groups of the London's conference to assume the interim rule in Baghdad during May and the beginning of June.

While the Spanish prime minister, "Washington's closest allies," as described by the White House, has started today a visit to the US, overwhelmed by the developments of the Iraqi file, controversy continued over the idea proposed by Washington on dividing Iraq into areas of military influence without getting through the UN or even the NATO, in which military forces from 14 countries with close links to Washington will be taking part while France and Germany renewed their demands that Iraq has to be rebuilt within a " pivotal role for the UN."

Meantime, the Iraqi biologist Huda Ammash fell in the hand of the American forces in Baghdad, while the Shiite figure Ayatullah Kazem al-Husseini al-Haeiri announced his rejection to declare an Iraqi government under a foreign occupation, stressing that "there should be efforts to form an elected government by the Muslim Iraqi people on the bases of their religion, moral and values."

Yesterday elections were made under the supervision of the American forces, according to which the municipal council for the city of Musil was formed, in an operation considered an example for other Iraqi cities in the post - Saddam area and a test for the ability for the American occupation forces to establish new Iraqi authorities.

Amid Iraqi protest to divide posts according to religious and ethnic affiliations, some 200 of the city's representatives met at the supervision of the American army in Musil and chose a provisional municipal council to run its affairs. Out of the members of this 24- member council, an Arab chairman was elected with a Kurdish vice chairman in addition to two assistant ( one Turkman and one Assure). A selection which reflects the ethnical composition in al-Musil, the third major Iraqi city.

The new chairman of the municipality the retired Gen. Ghanem al-Baso who was among other three rivals vowed "to work sincerely with you and with the coalition forces for the interests of al-Musil and Iraq." The leader of the American contingent 101 in the American army Gen. David Betraous who supervised the elections operation said "I congratulate you over what you have done today..You made a big stride in the interest of Musil and Iraq."

Meantime, Garner announced that "by the mid of May, we will see the nucleus of an Iraqi government, headed by an Iraqi figure that will deal with the coalition." He added that the interim leadership will be formed by the end of May or the beginning of June of five persons. Garner said "The five opposition leaders have started their meetings and will find leaders inside Iraq, they will discuss with them the possibility of forming a nucleus leadership by the beginning of June. The statement of Garner came during his visit to Basra. He had said before leaving Baghdad that there will be "seven, eight or nine officials to work together to form an Iraqi leadership."

The five men referred to by Garner are Masoud al-Barazani, Jalal al-Talibani, Ahmad al-Chalabi, Eyad Allawi and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. Garner added that the group might be expanded to include a Christian figure or another Sunni figure. He added that the five leaders "intend to introduce leaders from inside Iraq and we will see if we will be able to form a nucleus leadership by June." Underlining the importance given by the US to the political side, Garner announced he expects the arrival of the American diplomat Paul Primer by the fall of next week to assume the political operation for the post - war Iraq.

He indicated that Muhammad Mohsin al-Zubeidi who declared himself as the chairman of the executive committee for Baghdad's administration was released 48 hours after his detention by the end of April. The American forces arrested al-Zubeidi on April 28th for assuming authority, the American said not of his own.

Previous Stories:
  Washington: No weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, US soldier killed   (5/5/2003)
  Larson says U.S. helping iraqis reclaim their future   (5/3/2003)
  American forces arrest three former Iraqi officials   (5/3/2003)

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