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US envoy warns against sectarian Iraqi
government
20.2.2006
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BAGHDAD, Feb 20
(Reuters) - The American ambassador to Iraq issued a
tough warning to Iraqi leaders on Monday, saying
Washington would not tolerate sectarianism or
militias in the new government and its security
forces.
"The ministers of interior, defence, national
intelligence, the national security adviser have to
be people who are non- sectarian, broadly
acceptable, non-militia-related that will work for
all Iraqis," Zalmay Khalilzad told a news
conference.
"The United States is investing billions of dollars
into these forces, military and police forces of
Iraq. American taxpayers expect their money to be
spent properly. We are not going to invest the
resources of the American people into forces run by
people who are sectarian..."
Iraqi leaders have yet to start serious talks on
forming a new government more than two months after
parliamentary elections, and negotiations filled
with sectarian landmines could last months.
Some of the most explosive arguments will be about
control of the currently Sh'ite-run Interior
Ministry, accused by Arab Sunnis of sanctioning
death squads linked to a party in the Shi'ite
alliance which will have the biggest bloc in
parliament. The ministry denies the charges.
The timing of the departure of U.S. troops hinges on
the performance of Iraqi security forces and army
against Sunni insurgents.
Reuters
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