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| Iraq |
| Kurds get screwed in new election law. |
| 2008-07-26 |
| As some of you may know my best friend is an Iraqi Kurdish-American and a good friend of Jalal Talibani. What our lazy MSM does not tell you is why the Kurds are upset about the new election law. The Parliament passed the law that does not allow elections in Kirkuk Province but instead appoints all leaders based on a formula of 25% Kurds, 25% Arabs, 25% Turkuman, and 25% Assyrians. Kirkuk is 65% Kurd and the Turkuman and Assyrians make up less than 15% combined. This was all passed with less than a quorum. It would be like a minority of Congress telling DC it could no longer elect its local leaders. But, instead they were going to be appointed by Congress to govern the District based on a formula of 25% Black, 25% White, 25% Asian and 25% Hispanic. I'm sure the Blacks would be as upset as the Kurds are in Iraq. BAGHDAD - Iraq's political party leaders are being asked to study objections to a draft provincial elections law and offer proposals within 48 hours. Khalid al-Attiya, a deputy parliament speaker, says the parties and various committees are being asked to help end disputes that have held up the elections planned for this fall. A main sticking point is how to allocate local council seats in the disputed city of Kirkuk. Saturday's move hopes to break the political deadlock and clear the way for the elections — which are strongly supported by Washington as a step toward political reconciliation. The elections were scheduled for Oct. 1, but election officials say it appears that the voting could be put off to December or later. |
| Posted by:GolfBravoUSMC |
| #5 PB: From your lips to God's ears. |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2008-07-26 20:08 |
| #4 Eventually the Kurds will reach an accomodation with Turkey. No idea how long it will take. Medium to long term both Syria and Iran regimes will fall and a much larger Kurdish federation is on the cards. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2008-07-26 20:02 |
| #3 The Kurds need a port. Until they get one, they get screwed. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-07-26 19:29 |
| #2 Fact is DC leaders are elected, so what if the congress gave their responsibility a by. In the mean time maybe Basra should have their leaders appointed so the Shiites don't use their majority to run the place. How about Anbar, to keep the Sunni's from controlling the Province. And, how about California so the liberal Democrats would not hold control of most of the State. |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2008-07-26 17:49 |
| #1 Bad analogy, GB. Actually, Congress is SUPPOSED to appoint the government of Washington, DC. They've opted out, but the Constitution still says it's their responsibility. I think what Baghdad's trying to do here is to ensure that the Kurds don't hold 100% of the government jobs, since they're a majority in the district. The central government could have done so in a much more respectable and discrete manner, but then, most of the Shiites aren't happy with not being 100% in charge, and many of the Sunnis feel the same way. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-07-26 15:12 |