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Iraq
Iraq, at 'Historic Juncture,' Set to Vote
2005-12-12
Voting begins Monday in hospitals, military camps and even prisons across Iraq, launching the process to choose a new parliament that the United States hopes can help quell the insurgency so U.S. forces can begin heading home. Iraq's government announced it will close its borders, extend the nighttime curfew and restrict domestic travel starting Tuesday — two days before the main election day — to prevent insurgents from disrupting the vote. "We are very prepared for the elections, and we are highly determined," Interior Minister Bayan Jabr said. "We hope that everyone participates and that it will be a safe day. ... We are at a historic juncture."

Voters will be choosing their first fully constitutional parliament since the 2003 collapse of Saddam Hussein. The 275-member assembly, which will serve for four years, will then choose a new government that U.S. officials hope can win the confidence of the disaffected Sunni Arab minority — the foundation of the insurgency.
Posted by:Fred

#6  Interesting that they are allowing prisoners to vote. Curious to know who they might support.
Posted by: shellback   2005-12-12 14:32  

#5  AFAIK, AQ hasnt timed attacks OUTSIDE of Iraq to match the previous Iraqi elections. They will of course try to disrupt this one, but not likely to succeed on any scale.

The real questions, I think, aside from the obvious one the media will grab onto (IE Sunni turnout) will be how the Shiite vote splits - how many for UIA (the Shiite religious alliance) and how many for secular parties such as those led by Allawi and Chalabi. That will determine the shape of the next Iraqi govt.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2005-12-12 14:15  

#4  Am I pessimistic in thinking that something may go 'boom' somewhere in the West this week?

No, I have the same thought. Hopefully it'll be nothing more than a few leftist brain-pans overloading.
Posted by: Pappy   2005-12-12 10:40  

#3  Am I pessimistic in thinking that something may go 'boom' somewhere in the West this week?

That's the sound of the Democratic Party imploding ...
Posted by: doc   2005-12-12 06:50  

#2  Ho hum. More democracy in Iraq. Need to get my mind off this. Think I'll have a chardonnay, an abortion, and listen to some NPR.

/sarcasm
Posted by: Iblis   2005-12-12 02:05  

#1  Am I pessimistic in thinking that something may go 'boom' somewhere in the West this week? It's been a little tickle in the back of my mind for about a week or so now...
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-12-12 01:01  

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