Shiite Clerics Emerge as Key Power Brokers

[kskiska]

Ayatollahs Weigh Role Of Islam in Iraqi Politics

(snip)

Before any election for a government, before any debate over a constitution, Najafi and the other senior Shiite clerics have emerged in the vacuum left by former president Saddam Hussein's destruction of civil society. They have become the most influential figures in the country today. In a process both abetted and opposed by the U.S. administration, the elderly clerics in Najaf have begun sketching out for the first time in decades the sharply contested role of Islam in the country's political life.

By far, the most influential among them is Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, a once-reticent cleric who has taken on a far more activist role. This weekend, he made public his opposition to key elements of a U.S. plan for a political transition in Iraq. That followed his edict in June that any convention charged with writing a constitution must be elected. Together, they have secured a role for him and other clergy in helping determine the issues central to Iraq's future -- the selection of a government, the shape of a constitution and the nature of law.

"They are gaining momentum now," said Wamid Nadhme, a political science professor at Baghdad University.

"It seems that Mr. Sistani is showing his teeth to the Americans, that he is showing his willpower to the Iraqis" in the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, he added. "It's as if he's saying to all those concerned that I'm the man who is the last word."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23902-2003Nov30.html

[Rollins]

1. What a proud group of people

Those Shiite leaders must think they respresent the people of the
region where civilization began or something.

[0007]

2. I bet this is rubbing Ahmed Chalabi' fat ass cheeks together the wrong way

eom

[goforit]

3. They certainly are of the wiser and ahead of their pack.

They're out smarting Rove?

Prey tell .....how could this be?

[buycitgo]

4. Tribune scoops the Post again

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=244580

"Iraqi council leader criticizes U.S. plan"


A U.S.-backed plan to give Iraqis sovereignty over their country again quickly appeared to be unraveling Thursday as a leading politician backed complaints by Shiite authorities that the process was not democratic enough.

Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi Governing Council's president, said he agreed with the criticism of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the country's leading Shiite cleric, and expected revisions in the plan

snip

Al-Sistani's grievances are seen as a serious setback for the U.S.-led rebuilding effort. Renegotiating a deal could delay the handing over of sovereignty, jeopardize efforts to diminish the U.S. military presence in Iraq and undercut the White House's insistence that it is in control of the situation.

Plans for a U.S.-financed media campaign to promote the agreement have been put on hold, said coalition officials.

Coalition officials and the Iraqis insist that they do not want a confrontation, but the situation puts two of the most powerful people in Iraq at odds: al-Sistani and Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator overseeing the reconstruction.



http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0311280264nov28,1,6521402.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed