Iraq's top cleric won't back al-Jaafari

[ECH1969]

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - Iraq's top Shiite cleric has decided to withhold his endorsement of a Shiite coalition that swept last January's general election, rejecting repeated pleas by senior politicians for him to reconsider, associates on both sides said Wednesday.

The move by the Iranian-born Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani reflected the cleric's disappointment with the performance of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's Shiite-led government, according to three associates of the cleric who are in regular contact with him.

Their comments represent the first known rift between the prominent ayatollah and the Shiite political parties he has supported since the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

There has been profound disillusionment with the al-Jaafari government in the Shiite community, one reason why Shiite turnout was relatively low in the Oct. 15 referendum on Iraq's constitution. The constitution was approved despite the low turnout by Shiites.

http://www.fresnobee.com/24hour/world/story/2843632p-11502870c.html

[enigma000]

1. Now this is good news

By withholding his support for the SCIRI-Dawa Party alliance, al-Sistani has provided a boost for the secular parties and coalitions. With the Shia feeling "profound disillusionment with the al-Jaafari government" they may choose to vote for less religious parties.

The next step is to pressure the Shia and Kurds to reach out to the Sunni and form political alliances. This will get the Sunni voting in December.

[Zynx]

2. A secular government may have folks like Allawi back in it.

[enigma000]

3. win some......lose some

I thought it over.

I'll take a secular Shia-Sunni-Kurdish allied government run by a democratically elected strongman on the payroll of the US over the alternative: a Shiite theocracy allied with Iran and in perpetual battle with the oil-less Sunni region.

Its the only course of action I can see. Less dead, less oppression, less chance of a regional Middle East war and establishment of terrorist bases.

Besides, it wasn't like the current PM al-Jafari is of an anti-American bent.

[LynnTheDem]

4. Chalabi.

God help Iraqis.

[lateo]

5. Wasn't that guy...

a cartoon artist for Mad Magazine?

[enigma000]

6. Bottom left square in Hollywood Squares n/t