AP: Iraqi PM weighs political realignment

[Eugene]

Posted on Wed, Dec. 13, 2006

Iraqi PM weighs political realignment
HAMZA HENDAWI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's prime minister is weighing whether to sever his alliance
with a radical Shiite cleric blamed for much of the country's sectarian violence,
aides said Wednesday. But isolating Muqtada al-Sadr could lead to more deadly
attacks, even if the strategy could produce a more stable administration over time.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been meeting over the last three days with a small
circle of his Dawa Party stalwarts to discuss their options, according to his aides
who spoke on condition of anonymity because the subject is sensitive.

The meetings began after reports surfaced of a proposed realignment of the alliance
supporting the governing coalition, the aides said.

The White House has acknowledged efforts to shore up al-Maliki's coalition but has
denied that the move is aimed at replacing him, though some of his aides fear this
is the goal.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/16231946.htm

[Rex]

1. See that folks? Don't expect elected leaders to stay elected!

Muppet, puppet pull my strings. Crazy clergy and bogus political leaders. What more of a fubar situation is that? Besides a civil war or even a regional war. Put aside all the war and just look at Iraq on it's political surface - controlled and owned by everyone but Iraqis. What do they want? Potable water and electricity. Oh and maybe less torture and beheadings. On all sides.