Calls rising for U.S. to help Iraq build its government
March 31, 2005

By Ellen Knickmeyer:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Some Iraqi political blocs are asking Americans to intervene as Iraq's first attempt at democratic national government remains mired in private dealmaking and public shouting matches, U.S. and Iraqi officials said this week.

One U.S. official said Wednesday that the United States is limiting its assistance to advice -- currently, snap out of it.

U.S. authorities' message to Iraqi politicians is that ``it is important that they maintain the momentum of the elections,'' the official told reporters one day after a chaotic session of the 2-month-old National Assembly showed lawmakers were still far from forming a government.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Americans are telling deadlocked faction leaders that ``this is not the time to slow down. The best way to undercut the insurgency'' and to build ``credibility in the streets is to maintain momentum.''

Coalitions of Shiite Muslims and ethnic Kurds were the two top vote-getters in Iraq's Jan. 30 elections but have been unable to agree on many key posts and tough policy issues. As a result, the assembly is now far behind schedule on one of its primary tasks: writing a new constitution by mid-August that would then be put to a national vote.

The leading coalitions' attempt to fill at least one position in an intended national unity government Tuesday failed when their pick for assembly speaker -- Iraq's interim president, Ghazi al-Yawer -- unexpectedly withdrew from consideration. Politicians said his move was part of a bid by small parties -- Yawer's bloc and that of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi -- for better posts
and more influence.

After Tuesday's session, ``I have had more than a few Iraqis come . . . saying, `You need to weigh in on this,' '' the U.S. official said.

``We are encouraging them to talk,'' he said. ``We are not suggesting numbers or parties or lists. That is absolutely not our job.''

A variety of Iraqi politicians involved in the government-building talks said earlier this week that they had detected no active U.S. role, which all sides say would undermine support by a public greatly resentful of the two-year U.S. occupation.

U.S. officials say they are heeding a strict no-interference policy laid down by President Bush for the January elections and their aftermath. Their role is not to go beyond encouragement and general, practical advice if asked, the U.S. official told reporters.

Attacks by insurgents continued Wednesday.

Gunmen opened fire on more Shiite pilgrims making their way to a major religious festival in southern Iraq, killing one person and fueling fears that insurgents may target the gathering that draws hundreds of thousands of people every year.

The latest ambush, near Mahaweel, about 35 miles south of Baghdad, also wounded two pilgrims, police Capt. Muthana al-Furati said. Attacks on pilgrims Monday killed four people, including two police officers guarding pilgrims.

Roads across Iraq were crowded with Shiites heading to the holy city of Karbala to celebrate the Arbaeen festival today.

In northern Mosul, four insurgents opened fire at a U.S. checkpoint Wednesday and were killed by soldiers, police official Ahmed Mohammed Khalaf al-Jibori said. The gunmen killed six Iraqis, hospital official Essam Abdul Wahed said.

The U.S. military said it had no information on the clash but that three suspects were killed in a clash in Mosul after soldiers stopped a taxi that exploded, injuring five soldiers.

A U.S. Marine en route to Al-Qaim in western Iraq died when his vehicle hit a land mine, the U.S. military said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/11274484.htm