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| Iraq |
| Basra MP's seek autonomy |
| 2008-11-16 |
| Two Shia parliamentarians have called for a referendum to turn the province of Basra in southern Iraq into a mini-autonomous state. Sheikk Kheirallah al-Basri, a Shia lawmaker from Basra on Saturday sought to dismiss fears that the move would cause instability in the country, arguing that the push for autonomy is not a "secessionist motion.'' Wail Abdul-Latif, another lawmaker from Basra, argued that granting Iraqi regions more power would give Iraq's political process "more chances for stability.'' He added that they have collected some 35,000 signatures from supporters in the region to press the electoral commission to hold a referendum on an autonomous region. The idea of creating a federalist system in Iraq is expected to play a prominent role in the country's provincial elections, which are to be held before Jan. 31. Iraq's three largest Shia parties have been divided on the issue of autonomous regions. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, which is the largest Iraqi Shia political bloc, strongly backs the creation of a nine-province autonomous region. This is while Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party and the Sadrist movement both oppose the proposal, arguing it poses a threat to national unity. The region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq already enjoys self-rule. |
| Posted by:Fred |