7 replies to this topic

[dinaronmind/mindondinar]

From yahoo link

BAGHDAD (AP) — One of Iraq's three vice presidents resigned Monday in an apparent attempt to distance himself from what is seen as an increasingly dysfunctional government.

Shiite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a member of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, could not be reached for comment. No formal reason was given for his resignation, after four years in office.

Abdul-Mahdi had threatened for months to leave his post. President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, finally accepted his resignation Monday.

"We deeply regret having to accept the resignation of our friend and brother," Talabani said in the statement, adding that he attempted for "many weeks" to persuade Abdul-Mahdi to stay.

"He was with us during the struggle against the dictatorship and we worked together to achieve a free, democratic and federal Iraq," Talabani said.

Talabani spokesman Naseer al-Ani said Abdul-Mahdi was encouraged by the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council party leaders to step down and save the cash-strapped government the cost of his annual salary of $108,000. But advisers to Abdul-Mahdi privately have said the vice president feared he would be blamed for being part of a failed government should its leaders be ousted by frustrated Iraqis.

Bickering among Iraq's political leaders has kept the government, seated in December, from appointing new defense, interior and national security ministers. Critics say the delay Iraq's stability.

Underscoring the threat, three rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone on Monday, targeting the heavily guarded fortress where Iraq's government and foreign embassies are located. Police said the rockets were fired from a Shiite-dominated neighborhood in eastern Baghdad. No casualties were reported.

The government is also deadlocked on whether it should ask U.S. troops to remain in Iraq beyond a year-end departure deadline, and was urged Monday by visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to make a quick decision.

The Iraqi constitution that was approved in 2005 created two vice president posts, which were held by Abdul-Mahdi and Sunni Tariq al-Hashemi. But this spring, parliament approved creating a third seat, which was given to Khudayer al-Khuzaie, a Shiite from the Dawa party headed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Abdul-Mahdi and al-Maliki have had a tense relationship for years, and Abdul-Mahdi has made little secret of his ambitions to be prime minister.

___

Associated Press Writers Saad Abdul-Kadir and Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed to this report.


http://news.yahoo.co...-185527707.html

Edited by dinaronmind/mindondinar, 11 July 2011 - 04:16 PM.

[drox]

This is very very interesting. Mahdi/Mehdi was kind of the dark horse candidate for PM when Allawi and Maliki wasted 9 months after the election deliberating who was PM. At one time a consensus was made without a vote that Madhi would be the fall back PM when both State of Law and Iraqiya were considering getting rid of M and A to get through the impasse. Mahdi took it hard.

However... during that 9 months when the Parliament was supposed to be in session they elected officials wouldn't go in but got paid anyway. This Madhi character went to Parliament almost everyday anyway. He was one of the few that tried to form a government. I find it very interesting that when the Erbil agreement is allegedly close to being signed that he now withdraws from the VP post for fear he will be considered one of the inept politicians. Is this a telltale sign that something is about to come politically we are not expecting???

[acceb75]

This is very very interesting. Mahdi/Mehdi was kind of the dark horse candidate for PM when Allawi and Maliki wasted 9 months after the election deliberating who was PM. At one time a consensus was made without a vote that Madhi would be the fall back PM when both State of Law and Iraqiya were considering getting rid of M and A to get through the impasse. Mahdi took it hard.

However... during that 9 months when the Parliament was supposed to be in session they elected officials wouldn't go in but got paid anyway. This Madhi character went to Parliament almost everyday anyway. He was one of the few that tried to form a government. I find it very interesting that when the Erbil agreement is allegedly close to being signed that he now withdraws from the VP post for fear he will be considered one of the inept politicians. Is this a telltale sign that something is about to come politically we are not expecting???

Like what for instance?

[drox]

Like what for instance?

Not sure... a realignment of the blocs perhaps? We just saw Iraqiya merge with another smaller group. The natives are restless. I find it strange Allawi retired and/or had cancer and suddenly he is back in the mix. We see they might have agreed to the last Iraqiya nomination for defense minister. Rocket attacks on the Green Zone from the shia's is odd with Maliki being a Shia but living in the Green Zone. Sadr is saying he won't use his army all of a sudden. Something is very strange and I can't really put my finger on it. Mahdi might be the odd man out too if Maliki is seriously shrinking the size of the ministries and positions.

I am hoping this is a sign of progress and not a sign of further division. What do you think?

Edited by drox, 11 July 2011 - 04:55 PM.

[acceb75]

Not sure... a realignment of the blocs perhaps? We just saw Iraqiya merge with another smaller group. The natives are restless. I find it strange Allawi retired and/or had cancer and suddenly he is back in the mix. We see they might have agreed to the last Iraqiya nomination for defense minister. Rocket attacks on the Green Zone from the shia's is odd with Maliki being a Shia but living in the Green Zone. Sadr is saying he won't use his army all of a sudden. Something is very strange and I can't really put my finger on it. Mahdi might be the odd man out too if Maliki is seriously shrinking the size of the ministries and positions.

I am hoping this is a sign of progress and not a sign of further division. What do you think?

I am HOPING it is a sign of progress because I would be too depressed otherwise , but I can't help but wonder what's up because it just seems like the puzzle is suddenly not fitting together quite right.

[drox]

I am HOPING it is a sign of progress because I would be too depressed otherwise , but I can't help but wonder what's up because it just seems like the puzzle is suddenly not fitting together quite right.

This feels different this time. Before, you knew everyone was blowing smoke and it was a game of musical chairs. Now there is a different undertone it would seem. You see the citizens are tired of all of them collectively. Not to mention the US pullout should have their fat air conditioned Green Zone butts worried if the troops pull out when NOTHING has been accomplished. I think people in each bloc are starting to show their cards and let their "candidates" understand who is really in charge. This could be the cooperation and the catalyst we need to get them to vote on the big laws. Census, HCL, Investment Law addressing Corruption, etc.

Hang in there!

[tjmunson]

This feels different this time. Before, you knew everyone was blowing smoke and it was a game of musical chairs. Now there is a different undertone it would seem. You see the citizens are tired of all of them collectively. Not to mention the US pullout should have their fat air conditioned Green Zone butts worried if the troops pull out when NOTHING has been accomplished. I think people in each bloc are starting to show their cards and let their "candidates" understand who is really in charge. This could be the cooperation and the catalyst we need to get them to vote on the big laws. Census, HCL, Investment Law addressing Corruption, etc.

Hang in there!

I agree. Much less "fluff" news coming out of Iraq this last week or so. I think the gloves are coming off and we may see some rapid change in regards to a reformation of the GOI and a slew of laws that need to get passed. I also think we will see a lot of US troop movement in the coming days in an effort to eradicate the Iranian supplied rebels in Iraq.
Necessity may be the mother of invention but fear can be the mother of rapid change.


Peace

[matlok12]

Necessity may be the mother of invention but fear can be the mother of rapid change.


Peace
[/quote]

Well said!!!!