Chalabi joins call for direct elections in Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/23/sprj.nirq.elections/index.html

A leading member of the Iraqi Governing Council called Friday for nationwide direct elections in Iraq, echoing a growing number of voices in the country seeking elections before the United States hands over sovereignty July 1.

"The view that we hold in Iraq now is this -- that democracy is associated with elections," said Ahmed Chalabi, who was the first to hold the council's rotating presidency. "I believe that elections are possible."

Chalabi's comments at the American Enterprise Institute mark a sharp departure from previous views voiced by the council. It joined with the United States in November in announcing a plan for caucuses to choose the transitional national assembly by the end of May. That assembly would pick a transitional sovereign government, which would take power July 1.

But Shiite critics of the plan, particularly Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, want direct elections for the transitional legislature. Thousands of Shiites have marched to demand direct elections, putting pressure on the United States to find a compromise.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Let's play spot the rat and the sinking ship

One thing you have to say for Chalabi, he has a good eye for the main chance (for him). If he's talking about elections, you know the 'council selects the electors who select the council' caucuses are on their way out.
Maybe he thinks he can give Diebold the contract for voting booths.

[0007]

2. Ahmed Chalabi and his deeds will go unnoticed with most Americans

much like our so called president.


Ahmad Chalabi

Ahmad Chalabi, an American-trained financier who has close ties to senior Pentagon officials and
is a prominent member of the council, the U.S.-appointed interim government in Iraq. Another
possibility, some in the administration say, is that Iraq could evolve toward a political compromise
forged by the exile Ahmad Chalabi — a secular Shiite. Mr. Chalabi might manage to stitch
together pro-Iranian groups, Kurds and others into a government.

A top administration official predicted recently that in that event, Mr. Chalabi — who set up an
office for his opposition group in Tehran before the American invasion of Iraq — could become
the first Iraqi prime minister.

U.S. authorities insist that ties between business and government officials have not tainted any
contracts. "We're following all the standard federal rules" in awarding U.S. contracts, said a
Pentagon official, who asked to remain unidentified.

[daleo]

3. There must be something more to this

Chalabi wouldn't have a hope in an honest election. Perhaps he has decided that he preferred the life of a political exile, and wants to return to London.

[mike1963]

4. You're right...he was the hand-picked motivational guru for Chimpy's

adventure. If he's agreeing with Talibani, somebody is in deep shit.
This needs more looking into. I'm beginning to think that no human on this planet has the ability to predict anything even close to what's going down in Iraq (other than the obvious: chaos)

:grr: :eyes: