Iraqi Shiite leader wants govt say in US security operations

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - One of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders, Abdel Aziz Hakim, on Wednesday demanded that the government have a say in security operations being conducted by US forces.

Hakim, whose son was briefly detained by US troops after crossing the border from Iran last month, said raids on party offices, arrests of politicians and operations involving aircraft should all be agreed in advance between Iraqi and US commanders.

Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), said a security agreement was needed in order to define the responsibilities of Iraqi and US leaders, his office said.

"We are endeavouring to conclude this security deal," he said at a meeting in Baghdad on Wednesday of the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, of which SCIRI is a part.

Hakim had stressed at the meeting that the focus should be on "arrests, air traffic and other issues," the statement said.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070314/wl_mideast_afp/iraqpolitics_070314123931

Have we heard any results from this investigation?


Iraqi PM orders probe of raid on Basra prison(calls it an unlawful and irresponsible act)
BASRA, Iraq, March 4 (Reuters) - Iraq's prime minister called for an investigation into a raid by Iraqi and British forces in Basra on Sunday that the British military said found evidence of torture at an intelligence agency detention centre.

The British military said the raid on the National Iraqi Intelligence Agency detention facility in central Basra was part of an operation led by Iraqi counter-terrorist forces who were seeking a "known death squad leader" at the prison.

But Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite Islamist who has vowed to crack down on militias blamed for sectarian killings, issued a statement criticising the operation.

"The Prime Minister has ordered a prompt investigation into the incident of breaking into the security complex headquarters in Basra and he affirmed the need to punish those who have carried out this unlawful and irresponsible act," it said.

A British military statement said the intelligence agency facility was not deliberately targeted and was only entered because of information gained in raids in the preceding hours.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2754993

[Eugene]

1. self-delete n/t