Proposal to divide Iraq into semi-autonomous states gains ground

[Barrett808]

Proposal to divide Iraq into semi-autonomous states gains ground
By Nancy A. Youssef, Knight Ridder Newspapers

BAGHDAD, Iraq - As Iraq begins writing its new constitution, leaders in the country's southern regions are pushing aggressively to unite their three provinces into an oil-rich, semi-autonomous state, a plan that some worry could solidify Iraq's sectarian tensions, create fights over oil revenues and eventually split the nation.

In the southern Shiite Muslim city of Basra, where the provincial government launched the campaign, signs on the streets encourage residents to support the plan. Local leaders have held several conferences to map out their proposed state and regional government.

Muhammed Musbih al Waely, the governor of Basra province, said Shiites suffered under the last centralized government, Saddam Hussein's, and that they wanted to control the development of their region.

"The next few months are going to witness a big change in the region," al Waely said.

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