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Iraqi Shiite Party Leader Now in U.S. for
Lung-Cancer Treatment
19.5.2007
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May
19, 2007
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the largest and
most powerful Shiite party in Iraq, is in the United
States for urgent medical attention, according to
U.S. officials and his organization.
His party, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq,
refused to discuss Hakim's diagnosis, but U.S.
officials said the cleric, 57, has been found to
have lung cancer and is in the United States for
further tests and to develop a treatment plan.
In a reflection of Hakim's stature, President Bush
authorized immediate transportation to get Hakim
from Iraq to the United States, an administration
source said yesterday.
Vice President Cheney played
a role in arranging for Hakim to see U.S. military
doctors in Baghdad, who made the original diagnosis,
and for the current medical treatment in Houston,
the sources said.
Hakim's health problem comes at a sensitive time in
Iraq. Its leaders are struggling to reconcile
politically, considered a key step toward ending
Iraq's endemic violence. His party, until recently
known as the Supreme Council for the Islamic
Revolution in Iraq, has the most seats in the Iraqi
parliament. |
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the largest and
most powerful Shiite party in Iraq |
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Hakim wields enormous political and religious
authority, say U.S. experts on Iraq. "He is far more
than the party's leader. He comes from one of the
leading religious families in Iraq, and the family
has the respect that commands and gives the party
its popular following," said Phebe Marr, author of
"The Modern History of Iraq."
ISCI was founded in Iran by Hakim's brother,
Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim, who was assassinated in
2003 after his return to Baghdad from exile in
Tehran. His younger brother then assumed leadership
of the party, which now has close ties to Iran and
the United States.
Hakim has been a strong advocate of the creation of
a Shiite region out of nine Shiite-dominated
southern provinces in Iraq. "He has been forceful in
his style to ensure that the Shiites of Iraq are
recognized as the main force in politics, and he has
been outspoken in his support for a Shiite regional
entity that could challenge the authority of the
central government," said retired Army Col. Paul
Hughes, who served in Iraq and helped orchestrate
the work of the Iraq Study Group at the U.S.
Institute of Peace.
Many Sunnis and some Shiites oppose the idea of a
Shiite region for fear it would further marginalize
the Sunnis, prevent equitable distribution of oil
wealth or contribute to the break-up of the country.
Hakim, reportedly a heavy smoker, arrived in Houston
on Thursday to meet with specialists at the
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center,
U.S. officials said. His organization said in a
statement yesterday that he was undergoing tests in
a private hospital that has technology not available
in Iraq.
"A team of specialists are giving [Hakim] the
required attention to insure speedy results, so he
could return to Iraq as soon as possible where he is
most needed to continue serving the Iraqi people,"
the statement said.
The Bush administration said yesterday that it will
continue to work closely with Hakim. "We look
forward to work with Sayyed Abdul Aziz al-Hakim on
the important issues before the Iraqi people and in
working to support the Iraqi people in building a
better future," State Department spokesman Sean
McCormack said.
Washingtonpost com
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