Shiite leader backs Iraqi regional plan

[rodeodance]

Source: Associated Press

Shiite leader backs Iraqi regional plan

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer 9 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - The son and heir apparent of Iraq's top Shiite politician came out strongly Saturday in favor of autonomy for Iraq's religiously and ethnically divided regions, a potentially explosive issue on Iraq's already highly polarized political landscape.


Ammar al-Hakim, who is being groomed to take over the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the country's largest Shiite party, has been a firm supporter of federalism from the outset. But his unusually strident language appeared to signal growing impatience with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's inaction on key issues and his failure to bring fractured groups together.

Addressing hundreds of supporters at the party's Baghdad headquarters, al-Hakim called on Iraqis to press ahead with the creation of self-rule regions, but cautioned that the country's unity must be safeguarded.

"Federalism is one way to accomplish this goal," he said.

He said Baghdad's monopoly of power over decision-making and national wealth had turned the central government into a "tyrannical and dominating" body.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071013/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=AuMOxGUEVNM.3jTEnTS0Xais0NUE

[ohio2007]

1. Could be a land grab on Iraq is underway

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3031893

We have yet to draw down but the neighbors have found a just cause to take some real estate away from the non Sunni/Shia minority of the north