|
BAGHDAD, Iraq,
August 14 ,-- Shiite and Kurdish parties are
organizing a bid to oust the Sunni parliament
speaker whose comments about the insurgency and
regional self-rule have angered and embarrassed key
political groups.
The ouster of Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, which could be
done by a vote when the parliament returns from its
summer recess Sept. 1, would be the first major
shake-up in the government of national unity that
took office last May.
However, it is likely that al-Mashhadani would be
replaced by another Sunni Arab if the move against
him succeeds.
Shiite and Kurdish parties already have informed al-Mashhadani's
Iraqi Accordance Front that they want him replaced,
Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman said.
"The parliament and the major alliances have the
right to request a change," Othman said. "The
Accordance Front should nominate someone else.
There's been an agreement about that."
Key politicians from the Shiite United Iraqi
Alliance confirmed Othman's comments, but they spoke
on condition of anonymity because they did not want
the move to be seen as Shiite-inspired.
Since taking office in May, al-Mashhadani has spoken
out against regional self-rule, strongly supported
by Shiites and Kurds but opposed by many Sunni
Arabs.
He told reporters last month that if the government
refused to grant amnesty to Sunni insurgents who
killed Americans, "we should punish the American
soldiers who killed an Iraqi who fought against
occupation."
"In my point of view, the person who killed
Americans in defense of his country, in other
countries, they would build a statue for him," al-Mashhadani
added.
He also told reporters that "the Jews" were
financing acts of violence in Iraq in order to
discredit Islamic religious parties that control
parliament and the government.
"Some people say, `We saw you beheading, kidnappings
and killing. In the end we even started kidnapping
women who are our honor,'" al-Mashhadani said.
"These acts are not the work of Iraqis. I am sure
that he who does this is a Jew and the son of a
Jew."
Wael Abdul Latif, spokesman for the secular bloc of
former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, said his group
also opposed al-Mashhadani because he "is
disrespectful."
"His presence does not help the security situation
in Iraq," Abdul Latif said. "He wants to dismiss the
will of the people, which has been expressed by the
Iraqis through their support to federalism in the
constitution."
Salim Abdullah, a member of al-Mashhadani's
alliance, said he was aware of displeasure with the
speaker and indicated his group would not mount a
major fight to retain him in the post.
"The Iraqi street wants stability. I do not support
change, but I cannot support him staying if that's
going to have a negative effect," he said. "We
respect the choices of other alliances, and we are
reviewing alternatives."
AP
Top |
® 