Igc Negotiates With Sistani Interim

IGC Negotiates with Sistani

The Interim Governing Council sent a delegate Thursday to conduct talks with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, which were described as “tough but sincere.” (-AFP via ash-Sharq al-Awsat). They discussed the instruments whereby sovereignty would be transferred to the Iraqi people from the Coalition Provisional Authority on July 1, 2004. The delegation included Mouwafak al-Rubaie (former member of al-Da`wa Party from Basra) and Ahmad Chalabi, and it met with the grand ayatollah for 3 hours. Al-Rubaie said afterwards, “Sistani’s point of view is the same as that of all Iraqis, in favor of participation in elections and the issue of the constitution.” He added, “Every politician must consider this place (Sistani’s office) to be a source of guidance and blessings, since Sistani is concerned for all Iraqis, whether Sunni or Shiite, whether Arab or Kurd.”