Sunni Cleric Group Calls Iraq's Vote Illegitimate

[Itsthetruth]

Sunni cleric group calls Iraq's vote illegitimate

Mosul police chief sets 2-week deadline for insurgentsThe Associated Press
7:16 a.m. ET Feb. 2, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq’s leading Sunni Muslim clerics said Wednesday the landmark elections lack legitimacy because large numbers of Sunnis did not participate in the balloting — which the clerics had asked them to boycott.

Emboldened by the elections, which U.S. and Iraqi authorities cited as a victory for democracy, the police chief in Mosul demanded the insurgents hand over weapons within two weeks or he would “wipe out” anyone giving them shelter.

In its first statement since the balloting, the Association of Muslim Scholars said the balloting lacked legitimacy because of low Sunni participation. The Association called months ago on Sunnis to shun the polls because of the presence of U.S. and other foreign troops.

In its statement, the Association said the election “lacks legitimacy because a large portion of these people who represent many spectra have boycotted it.” As a result, the Association said the new leadership lacked a mandate to draft a new constitution and should be considered a temporary administration.

“We make it clear to the United Nations and the international community that they should not get involved in granting this election legitimacy because such a move will open the gates of evil,” the statement said.

“We are going to respect the choice of those who voted and we will consider the new government — if all the parties participating in the political process agree on it — as a transitional government with limited powers.”

In Mosul, police Gen. Mohammed Ahmed al-Jubouri offered amnesty to insurgents who handed over their weapons within two weeks, but promised tough action if they did not.

In an interview with the provincial television station, al-Jubouri threatened “to wipe out any village that would hide weapons after the two-week period and shell any safe haven for the insurgents.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6874656/

[Moderator]

1. Duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1205336