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Maliki pushing us out of govt: Sunni Arabs
 BAGHDAD - Iraqs biggest Sunni Arab group accused Shia Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday of pushing it out of the government by failing to consult it on key issues, escalating a row that threatens reconciliation efforts.The Sunni Accordance Front has threatened to pull out of Malikis shaky coalition government this week unless he meets a list of demands, including a greater say in security matters. It comes at a time when Washington is pushing Iraqs leaders to work together to push through a package of reforms aimed stabilising the country and reconciling Iraqis. Parliament decided on Monday to go on summer recess until early September. He (Maliki) is simply closing the doors on reforms and therefore the Front will be excused if it goes ahead with its plan to withdraw from the government in the time it has set, the Front said in a statement. The war of words has become increasingly personal, with the Front accusing Maliki, rather than his ruling Shia Alliance, of marginalising Sunni Arabs and acting unilaterally. The fallout has further damaged a government weakened by the pullout of fiery Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadrs political bloc, also one of the biggest groups in parliament. Relations between Maliki and Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, a leader of the Accordance Front, are also famously frosty, with Hashemi frequently complaining that Maliki doesnt listen to him. A Sunni Arab lawmaker and a government official revealed what they said was the main reason for the Fronts decision last week to suspend the work of its six ministers in the government. They said the decision was sparked by a tense meeting between Maliki and the Iraqi presidency council, which includes Hashemi. When the Sunni politician asked to discuss security matters, Maliki refused and then walked out. A spokesman for Maliki was not immediately available to comment on the report. The increasingly acrimonious verbal exchanges saw government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh accuse the Front on Friday of obstruction and blackmail following its threat to pull out of the government if its demands were not met. But the Front said Dabbaghs comments represented Malikis views, not those of the government. It said Shia and Kurdish factions within the government were sympathetic to its demands. The prime minister is ignoring those who are concerned and is sidelining them by not consulting them on sensitive issues, the Front said. Maliki is acting unilaterally. He does not share with us any sensitive matters, as if we are not a part of this process. We are fed up with that, a Sunni Arab official told Reuters. Posted by: Steve White 2007-07-31 |
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