Al-Maliki Reneges On Commitments to Allawi; Frustration Intensifies

[TechOps]

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/33963.htm

Al-Maliki Reneges On Commitments to Allawi; Frustration Intensifies

Commentary by MEMRI Staff

The agreement for the formation of the new Iraqi government, brokered by Kurdistan Regional Government president Masoud Barazani, appears to be falling apart. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is refusing to give his support to one of the key provisions of the agreement, namely the creation of a Supreme Council for Strategic Policies, which was to be chaired by Ayad Allawi, the head of al-Iraqiya bloc with the largest number of seats in parliament. The Council was to embody the principle of power-sharing between the two leading political figures, al-Maliki and Allawi.

Two months after the agreement was concluded, al-Maliki has placed various obstacles for its implementation, including attempts to drain the Council of real power through expanding the Council's membership.

Also under the agreement was a provision that the minister of defense was to come from the ranks of al-Iraqiya. Al-Maliki has so far rejected two nominees submitted by Allawi for the post without offering an explanation for the rejection. As a result of this, al-Iraqiya has also refused to vote for al-Maliki's candidates for the two remaining security posts, namely that of the minister of interior (in charge of national police) and the ministry of national security. Al-Maliki himself has made himself the minister ad interim of all three security ministries at a time when violence is surging. Allawi has appealed to Barazani to mediate between him and al-Maliki, an indication he is feeling powerless in his dealings with al-Maliki. Several planned meetings between the two have not materialized.

It is possible that al-Maliki is taking his time, in the expectation that al-Iraqiya members will split off and join forces with him, thereby leaving Allawi out in the cold. Indeed, a member of Allawi's bloc, MP Hassan al-Alawi, declared that he planned to announce this week the launching of a new faction under the name of "the White al-Iraqiya" that would include 12 MPs from Allawi's bloc. Al-Alawi denies being al-Maliki's man inside al-Iraqiya and claims to be above sectarianism.

It is clear, judging by statements issues by various members of parliament, that there is no mutual confidence among the various blocs in parliament and, in the words of one of them, M.P. Wa'il Abd Al-Latif, a member of Al-Maliki's bloc, "the partnership government has not melted the ice of disagreements." Not surprisingly, he added, the government remains incomplete and "we are not marching under the shadow of active state but we are marching under the shadow of a group of political forces."

Like most political blocs in the Iraqi parliament, al-Iraqiya is an amalgam of personalities rather than a cohesive political body anchored in common values or common political philosophy. That it could disintegrate is not outside the realm of the possible.

Sources: Al-Mada, Iraq, January 27; al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, January 27; and al-Zaman, Iraq, January 31, 2011

[Soldiering4U]

Why can't these guys just get along for just long enough to RV... daddy needs a new truck

[BruceV]

Okay, Lets get him out NOWWW!!!!

[getherdone]

or is more smooooke & mirrrrrors??? really makes u wonder!

[Retiredofficer]

"M" is going to get his head blown off. He is a frag ready to happen.

R.O

[TechOps]

House of Cards.....

[UofIGuy]

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/33963.htm

Al-Maliki Reneges On Commitments to Allawi; Frustration Intensifies

Commentary by MEMRI Staff

The agreement for the formation of the new Iraqi government, brokered by Kurdistan Regional Government president Masoud Barazani, appears to be falling apart. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is refusing to give his support to one of the key provisions of the agreement, namely the creation of a Supreme Council for Strategic Policies, which was to be chaired by Ayad Allawi, the head of al-Iraqiya bloc with the largest number of seats in parliament. The Council was to embody the principle of power-sharing between the two leading political figures, al-Maliki and Allawi.

Two months after the agreement was concluded, al-Maliki has placed various obstacles for its implementation, including attempts to drain the Council of real power through expanding the Council's membership.

Also under the agreement was a provision that the minister of defense was to come from the ranks of al-Iraqiya. Al-Maliki has so far rejected two nominees submitted by Allawi for the post without offering an explanation for the rejection. As a result of this, al-Iraqiya has also refused to vote for al-Maliki's candidates for the two remaining security posts, namely that of the minister of interior (in charge of national police) and the ministry of national security. Al-Maliki himself has made himself the minister ad interim of all three security ministries at a time when violence is surging. Allawi has appealed to Barazani to mediate between him and al-Maliki, an indication he is feeling powerless in his dealings with al-Maliki. Several planned meetings between the two have not materialized.

It is possible that al-Maliki is taking his time, in the expectation that al-Iraqiya members will split off and join forces with him, thereby leaving Allawi out in the cold. Indeed, a member of Allawi's bloc, MP Hassan al-Alawi, declared that he planned to announce this week the launching of a new faction under the name of "the White al-Iraqiya" that would include 12 MPs from Allawi's bloc. Al-Alawi denies being al-Maliki's man inside al-Iraqiya and claims to be above sectarianism.

It is clear, judging by statements issues by various members of parliament, that there is no mutual confidence among the various blocs in parliament and, in the words of one of them, M.P. Wa'il Abd Al-Latif, a member of Al-Maliki's bloc, "the partnership government has not melted the ice of disagreements." Not surprisingly, he added, the government remains incomplete and "we are not marching under the shadow of active state but we are marching under the shadow of a group of political forces."

Like most political blocs in the Iraqi parliament, al-Iraqiya is an amalgam of personalities rather than a cohesive political body anchored in common values or common political philosophy. That it could disintegrate is not outside the realm of the possible.

Sources: Al-Mada, Iraq, January 27; al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, January 27; and al-Zaman, Iraq, January 31, 2011

You ALL DO realize that this is a blog. It is one person's opinion. That is all...Nothing else! It is NADA!

[BruceV]

or is more smooooke & mirrrrrors??? really makes u wonder!

Well said, I was just thinking about the very same thing after my first post! I hope your right !

You ALL DO realize that this is a blog. It is one person's opinion. That is all...Nothing else! It is NADA!

Well thats wonderful news

[TechOps]

You ALL DO realize that this is a blog. It is one person's opinion. That is all...Nothing else! It is NADA!

There are three legit sources that are cited.... I am not sure how you can say NADA but thats what i get for posting this here i guess

[dirtman_00]

I just got word from Egypt for us to just hang on. As soon as thy get finished with Mubarak thy are on there way to Iraq to get there mess straitened out by that time thy well have it down pat and will look around and see who eals needs a but kicking while thy are at it. So just hang tight.

[TechOps]

Closing Thread.... The info is there for anyone to review and the citations in the article are valid.... No sense in keeping this open.