Iraq PM complains about neighbours to Negroponte

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Embattled Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday complained to visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte that regional interference was hindering the political process in Iraq.

At a meeting in Baghdad, Maliki said his government was pushing ahead with key economic and reconciliation laws to promote peace but hinted interfering neighbours were causing problems.

"The prime minister told Mr Negroponte of efforts to push ahead with the draft oil law and the reconciliation and accountability law despite regional interferences that hinder the political process," Maliki's office said.

Maliki also claimed his government had succeeded in "wiping out the danger of sectarianism", it said in a statement without giving details.

Iraq's Shiite and Sunni communities have been engaged in fierce communal bloodletting since early last year that continues to this day and has killed tens of thousands of people.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070612/pl_afp/iraqusdiplomacy_070612130401

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Iraq's prime minister promises progress on legislation
Tuesday , June 12, 2007 Posted: 11:26 AM
BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's prime minister is promising progress on legislation that's designed to promote national unity in Iraq.

A statement from the prime minister's office says Nouri al-Maliki has told Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte that the Shiite-led government is determined to gain passage of draft laws on equitably distributing the country's oil wealth.

He also promised advances toward allowing thousands of former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party to return to government jobs and join the military.

The Iraqi government and parliament are under heavy pressure from the US to pass the legislation as an attempt to bring the disaffected Sunni minority into the political process.

more:http://www.newschannel5.tv/2007/6/12/972696/Iraq-s-prime-minister-promises-progress-on-legislation


No details were given from the US but I'm sure the "oil law" was the major topic of discussion.

[Tempest]

1. Interestingly enough, al-Malaki isn't complaining about Iran

Mr. Maliki that he hoped to make some progress over the coming weeks. But he also offered a lengthy account of all the tribulations facing the Iraqi government, including tenuous security, distrustful neighboring Sunni states and a complex legal agenda.

http://tinyurl.com/ywcolo

Iran is a Shiite state.

[gratuitous]

2. And he's staying focused on Job #1

Who gets all that lovely, lovely oil.

[Tempest]

3. al-Maliki doesn't care about the oil

He only cares about the kickbacks, bribes and extortion money he'll receive.

He doesn't care where it comes from, only that it comes in fast and furious.

[Amonester]

4. Maybe he was complaining about the Saudi Sunnis arming the Iraqi

Sunnis (who must be making plots to get his bribed head on a platter for sure...)? :crazy: