governing council set conditions for elections; One American is killed, al-Seisatni demands guarantees
Iraq-USA, Politics, 3/31/2004

The Interim Iraqi governing council yesterday notified the UN that the UN will have no role in running the next Iraqi elections. It expressed its desire that the neighboring states will have no role in these elections, simultaneously it announced the formation of a committee assuming authority transfer on June 30 at a time the Shiite clergy Ali al-Seistani called for guarantees that these elections will be held in due time.

The spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress, Intifad Qanbar, said that the "technical delegation presented its views on how to make the elections and the nature of demands to make the elections within the time left which is considered limited." He explained that the next issue which members of the governing council had confirmed to the delegation is preventing the interference of the neighboring states or other states in the question of the elections so as the elections will be precise and reflect the genuine views of the Iraqi people.

Qanbar said that "certain members of the governing council told the delegation that the work history of the UN in Iraq does not reflect a positive impact on most of the Iraqis despite our confidence in this delegation and the basic and necessary aid it can give in the election operation."

Qanbar considered that upon the authority transfer to the Iraqis, the US will not have political impact, but as a strategic alliance for Iraq there will be common interests between the American and Iraqi peoples.

Meantime, a spokesman for the Shiite clergy Ali al-Seistani called on the UN yesterday to provide guarantees as assurances for the Iraqis to that the general elections will not be delayed nor obstructed. The spokesman, in al-Najaf stressed the need of carrying out the elections in Iraq as soon as possible." He added that the main political forces in the country do not call for the establishment of a religious government, rather a system that honors religious principles for the Iraqis and embarks on pluralism, justice and equality.

Meantime, the American occupation army announced that one of its soldiers was killed and another wounded in a bomb explosion near al-Ramadi. It added that one American soldier was wounded on Monday in Deyala when resistance men opened fire at an American armored vehicle.

The Iraqi police said that one suicider detonated a booby trapped car in front of the police commander of Babel, Lt. Gen Qeis Hamzeh Abboud, in al-Hella and this resulted in killing him and wounding other 7, four of his guards and three neighbors. Neither Abboud, nor any member of his family were hurt because they were outside the house.

Previous Stories:
  One American killed in al-Falouja; Annan: work is underway to form a multinational force   (3/30/2004)
  American army admits the killing of Arabia journalists   (3/30/2004)
  Occupation forces in Iraq closed a paper for al-Sader   (3/29/2004)

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