Shalan looms postponement of the elections, Washington clings to set date

Washington renewed its support for holding the elections in Iraq on January 30th, at a time the pace of field confrontations are being increased between gunmen and the multinational forces and the forces of the interim Iraqi government.

The spokesman for the US Department Of State, Adam Early, said that the higher committee for the elections and the Interim Iraqi government are still supporting the making of the elections, according to schedule and stressed that this is the very wish of the US.

The American statements came after the confirmation made by the Iraqi defense minister Hazim al-Shalan on Monday that the Iraqi elections due by the end of January might be postponed if the Sunni vow to take part in it.

Shalan said following talks with the Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit that the Iraqi government asked friends to interfere at the Sunnah to convince them of taking part.

He explained that the Sunni boycott of the elections means that half of the society will be absent if people of the governorates of Ninwa, al-Anbar, Salah Eddine and Deyali will not take part.

Shalan also called on the Shiite groups which announced boycotting the elections to reconsider its decision.

News reports in Cairo said that Iraq asked Egypt and the Gulf states to interfere with the Sunni to take part in the elections.