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Kumbayaa! UN Envoy Says Kurds, Shiâites Will Settle Dispute
via RootersWed Jun 9, 2004 07:19 PM ET By Evelyn Leopold UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi expressed confidence on Wednesday that Iraqi Kurds and Shiâites would find "common ground" in their escalating dispute over minority and majority rights in a new government. Brahimi, who has just returned from Baghdad after helping form the interim government, said both sides had valid arguments but they also had common-sense leaders who can settle the dispute. "It is not like one side or the other is being unreasonable," Brahimi told a news conference. "I am sure they will find common ground for Iraq to continue along this rather difficult and challenging transition toward stability." Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the other leading Shiâite clergy as well as the Kurdish leaders were all "very, very responsible people," he said. The simmering conflict came to a head with the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution on Tuesday endorsing an interim Iraqi government on June 30, but omitting mention of a provisional constitution that provided for Kurdish self-rule. Kurdish leaders have threatened to leave the new government unless they got guarantees against Shiâite plans to scrap parts of the temporary constitution, which in effect grants Kurds veto power over a permanent constitution to be written next year. Brahimi noted both communities had been oppressed under Saddam Hussein. While the Shiâites spoke of majority rights and not giving anyone "a blanket veto," he said, "The Kurds are talking about guarantees for a minority, a minority that has suffered a great deal and lots of promises were made to them and they were betrayed in the past. They want to be absolutely certain now that they will not be second class citizens, that they will be partners," he said. ...more... One can dream, I guess. With the UN Stamp of Approval and Brahimiâs speculation, itâs a done deal...not. That and $4 will get you a Latte Venti. We shall see. Posted by: .com 2004-06-10 |
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