Continued Opposition To Us Fiat In Iraq

Continued Opposition to the US Fiat in Iraq

The possibility of a United Nations Commission that would decide whether early elections should be held in Iraq continued to be discussed in Shiite circles on Saturday. In Najaf, Ammar al-Hakim, son of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, said after a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani that “The occupation forces say that elections are not possible, but concerned Iraqis believe that they are possible. Who will make the determination?” He added, “The demand of Ayatollah Sistani is a humane, legal opinion, for it is impossible to build democracy on an undemocratic basis. If general elections are impossible, then it is necessary to explore other alternatives. His Excellency does not desire the failure of the political process.” (- al-Hayat).

Veteran reporter on Iranian and Shiite affairs Robin Wright of the Washington Post argues that the US is unwise to oppose Sistani on the issue of going to early general elections.

Meanwhile, both Shiite and Sunni Friday prayers leaders resumed harsh criticism of the US on Friday, according to Hamza Hendawi of AP. Clerics loyal to Shiite radical Muqtada al-Sadr like Sayyid Amr al-Husni of the al-Muhsin Mosque told congregants in the slums of East Baghdad, “”American occupation forces are distributing pornographic laser discs and free newspapers that contain lewd pictures. Muslims, beware of what the infidel and corrupt West is trying to do to believers.”