NYT: Iraq Leader and Sunni Officials in Sectarian Clash on Security (Ugly Parliament Session )

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/world/middleeast/26iraq.html?hp&ex=1169787600&en=34508483e07c957c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Iraq Leader and Sunni Officials in Sectarian Clash on Security

BAGHDAD, Jan. 25 — Iraq’s Shiite prime minister and Sunni lawmakers hurled insults at one another during a raucous session of Parliament on Thursday, with the prime minister threatening a Sunni lawmaker with arrest and the Sunni speaker of Parliament threatening to quit.

...

In Parliament on Thursday, Mr. Maliki focused his anger on Sunni lawmakers, accusing one of being involved in sectarian kidnappings. The confrontation erupted after Mr. Maliki described the outlines of the new Baghdad security plan and pledged there would be no “safe haven” for militants.

The leader of a powerful Sunni bloc, Abdul Nasir al-Janabi, provoked Mr. Maliki, saying over jeers from Shiite politicians, “We cannot trust the office of the prime minister.”

His microphone was quickly shut off, and Mr. Maliki lashed into him, essentially accusing him of being one of the outlaws he had just said would not be granted sanctuary.

“I will show you,” Mr. Maliki said, waving his finger in the air. “I will turn over the documents we have,” implying that the legislator was guilty of crimes.

[scarletwoman]

1. Gee. This whole Iraq thing is turning out really well, isn't it.

I really don't know what to think anymore. Either the bushies are truly more monumentally ignorant, arrogant and incompetent than our most cynical estimates; or they are really just breathtakingly out and out EVIL.

sw

[dicknbush]

2. WOO WOOO WOOOOOW OOWOOOOOO HEY LARRY HEY CURLY HEY MOE!

MAN THIS IS SO SAD! And Bush thinks that 20,000 more troops are going to bring these idiots into agreement. God help us. I really don't believe that we can allow these idiots to continue to run this country. There must be someway to put them in a room for the next 700+ days and let them out to just basically sign things and go to funerals and other state functions like dinners and stuff? We may have to have a soft gloved coup to get over these guys. What a disaster I am hoping for a Military coup that is the sadest moment in my life!

[keopeli]

3. Actually, this is very serious. The fact that the rival parties are talking is the most significant

...thing happening in the Middle East right now.