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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Iraqis want elections delayed |
| 2004-11-27 |
| This article has a representative sample of the sins of the MSM. First sin is a misleading headline. The way its phrased strongly implies most Iraqas want this. ASSOCIATED PRESS: Seventeen Iraqi political parties demanded postponement of the Jan. 30 elections for at least six months until the government is capable of securing polling places. Over 200 parties have been registered, so 17 is a small minority of parties want the election delayed. The parties, mostly Sunni Arab, Kurdish and secular groups, made the call Friday in a manifesto signed at the home of Sunni elder statesman Adnan Pachachi. A former foreign minister, Pachachi said he believed the government was waiting for such a request before addressing the question of whether elections could be held by Jan. 30. Might be true, but no indication the claim was checked. Among the manifesto's backers were two major Kurdish parties that are among the strongest U.S. supporters in Iraq. The Kurds have a legitimate reason to delay the election. Its the middle of winter and mucho snow in the Kurdish mountains and communications are difficult. No mention of this reason and any tolerably educated person would know or figure this out. Also appearing on the list of parties attached to the manifesto was the Iraqi National Accord, the party of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. It wasn't clear late Friday whether Allawi himself endorsed delaying the election. The New York Times, quoting an unidentified participant, reported that the INA gave only verbal support to the call for a delay. Sounds like party dissent. A quote from Allawi would be nice. In Wales, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Bahram Saleh said Friday that holding elections as scheduled in January will be "a tough challenge" because of the security situation. Parties of the majority Shi'ite community strongly support holding the elections on time, but there is widespread doubt within the minority Sunni community because of guerrilla unrest in Sunni regions of central and northern Iraq. No mention of the real reason. The Sunnis will lose the election. A widespread boycott by the Sunni community could deny legitimacy to the elected parliament and government. Meme du jour. U.S. and Iraqi authorities believe legitimate elections are necessary to help bring stability to Iraq and curb the insurgency. The journalist introduces a premise in the first sentence and then tacks on a legitimate statement in the second. But the second sentence was *NOT* made in the context of the first sentence. Mohsen Abdul Hamid, leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party and one of the signatories, said Prime Minster Ayad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite, fears the government will be misunderstood if it requests a delay. "The government can't talk about that," Abdul Hamid said. Filler that will cause most readers to switch off. Entifadh Qanbar, spokesman of the Iraqi National Congress party, said that postponing the elections "would cause a constitutional crisis. What would guarantee that the security issue will be better after six or seven months from now? We want the Iraqis to have the chance to express their clear opinion through the ballots." Then conclude with a sensible and reasonbale statement cos you are not a real journalist unless you have 'balance'. |
| Posted by:phil_b |
| #3 Well done, phil_b. Almost scary how similar (great) minds think alike .... I was sighing and snorting through this typical AP monstrosity and thinking much the same things at every point. BTW, Allawi & Co. have repeated their preference for on-time elections since this dreck was moved by AP. |
| Posted by: Verlaine 2004-11-27 10:04:24 AM |
| #2 but..um...before ya frame it, could you correct my errors above? thanks. |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-11-27 8:20:06 AM |
| #1 Somebody frame this and put it in a museum, because this (and most articles on rantburg) is an excellent example showing why the rise of the blogs is causing the demise of the MSM. It no longer matters if this news outlet was attempting to spread propaganda or the if their reporter was just lazy and uniniformed. The good blogs are more reliable, accurate and informative than the best and biggest papers around. Excellent comments Phil_b! |
| Posted by: 2b 2004-11-27 8:15:56 AM |