In Iraq, A Push For Unity On Vote
In Iraq, A Push For Unity On Vote
Factions Negotiate Following Protests
By Jonathan Finer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, December 25, 2005; Page A01
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 -- After angry street protests and charges of vote-rigging in last week's elections heightened tensions in an already divided Iraq, U.S. officials and leaders of the country's main factions are negotiating the formation of a government that would represent all groups in hopes of heading off further fragmentation and a possible surge of violence.
Each of the country's three largest communities -- Sunni Arabs, Shiite Arabs and ethnic Kurds -- voted overwhelmingly on Dec. 15 for lists of parliamentary candidates that represented its own group. According to preliminary, unofficial ballot counts, the largest share of votes was won by the alliance of Shiite Muslim religious parties that leads Iraq's outgoing government. Minority Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, appeared to have won fewer votes than they had anticipated.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, right, meets with Kurdish regional president Massoud Barzani in Irbil, northern Iraq. The Kurds are one of three main groups negotiating the formation of a representative new government.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, right, meets with Kurdish regional president Massoud Barzani in Irbil, northern Iraq. The Kurds are one of three main groups negotiating the formation of a representative new government. (By Azad Lashkari -- Reuters)
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That voting pattern, and the subsequent unrest and charges of fraud by Sunnis, exacerbated long-standing fears and distrust that had emerged since the fall of Saddam Hussein almost three years ago, Iraqi officials and Western diplomats said. In recent weeks, Shiite and Sunni leaders have called for the formation of sectarian armies to police their respective regions, a step some observers say could be a precursor to open clashes between the groups. The Kurds, who dominate most of northern Iraq, already have their own fighting force, as do several Shiite parties.
"Every group here is afraid of every other group: The Sunnis are afraid, the Shiites are afraid, and the Kurds are afraid," said a Western diplomat in Baghdad who agreed to be interviewed on the condition he not be named. "And the response to that has been to sort of draw together as a kind of self-preservation tactic. When it came down to it, people voted on the basis of identity, and now it is time to walk everybody back and choose a government that represents the country. This is a critical time."
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In Iraq, A Push For Unity On Vote
Factions Negotiate Following Protests
By Jonathan Finer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, December 25, 2005; Page A01
BAGHDAD, Dec. 24 -- After angry street protests and charges of vote-rigging in last week's elections heightened tensions in an already divided Iraq, U.S. officials and leaders of the country's main factions are negotiating the formation of a government that would represent all groups in hopes of heading off further fragmentation and a possible surge of violence.
Each of the country's three largest communities -- Sunni Arabs, Shiite Arabs and ethnic Kurds -- voted overwhelmingly on Dec. 15 for lists of parliamentary candidates that represented its own group. According to preliminary, unofficial ballot counts, the largest share of votes was won by the alliance of Shiite Muslim religious parties that leads Iraq's outgoing government. Minority Sunni Arabs, meanwhile, appeared to have won fewer votes than they had anticipated.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, right, meets with Kurdish regional president Massoud Barzani in Irbil, northern Iraq. The Kurds are one of three main groups negotiating the formation of a representative new government.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, right, meets with Kurdish regional president Massoud Barzani in Irbil, northern Iraq. The Kurds are one of three main groups negotiating the formation of a representative new government. (By Azad Lashkari -- Reuters)
News From Iraq
* In Iraq, A Push For Unity On Vote
* Halabja Watches Hussein's Trial and Waits for Its Day in Court
* U.S. Airstrikes Take Toll on Civilians
* Court Sentences Businessman for Poison Gas Sale
Iraq in Transition
Photos, graphics, live discussions and the latest headlines on Iraq's parliamentary elections and new constitutional government.
* Full Report: Iraq Elections
Who's Blogging?
Read what bloggers are saying about this article.
* firedoglake
* THE WAR IN CONTEXT:: Iraq, the War on Terrorism, and the Middle East Conflict - in Critical Perspective
* washingtonpost.com - Today's Highlights' Journal
Full List of Blogs (5 links) »
Most Blogged About Articles
On washingtonpost.com | On the web
That voting pattern, and the subsequent unrest and charges of fraud by Sunnis, exacerbated long-standing fears and distrust that had emerged since the fall of Saddam Hussein almost three years ago, Iraqi officials and Western diplomats said. In recent weeks, Shiite and Sunni leaders have called for the formation of sectarian armies to police their respective regions, a step some observers say could be a precursor to open clashes between the groups. The Kurds, who dominate most of northern Iraq, already have their own fighting force, as do several Shiite parties.
"Every group here is afraid of every other group: The Sunnis are afraid, the Shiites are afraid, and the Kurds are afraid," said a Western diplomat in Baghdad who agreed to be interviewed on the condition he not be named. "And the response to that has been to sort of draw together as a kind of self-preservation tactic. When it came down to it, people voted on the basis of identity, and now it is time to walk everybody back and choose a government that represents the country. This is a critical time."
Hint: If you ever need to register to view a story, go to www.bugmenot.com and get a free login there!
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