Allawi Forms Iraqi Coalition to Challenge Jaafari

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is forming a coalition to challenge Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the candidate backed by Shiite clerics, as religious and secular groups vie to lead the country.

``We are forming a group we call the National Democratic Coalition to lead the process that Iraqis are looking for,'' said Kasim Daoud, Iraq's national security adviser and a member of Allawi's Iraqi List party, in a telephone interview from Baghdad today. He said the group is recruiting other parties.

The announcement by Allawi, 60, may indicate that divisions are deepening between politicians who want a secular state and members of the Shiite majority who are seeking an Islamic identity for Iraq. Since about half the assembly members are secular, the debate suggests that Sharia, Islamic law, won't dominate the constitution that the government will present in a referendum by October. ``We are liberal powers and we believe in a liberal Iraq and not an Iraq governed by political Islamists,'' the Associated Press quoted Allawi as saying at a joint news conference today with Daoud.

http://tinyurl.com/45mw4

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/23/iraq.main/index.html

"Hours after al-Jaafari's nomination, insurgents assassinated an official in Diyala province who was a member of the Dawa Party. Unknown gunmen shot dead Khalil Ali Shuker as he finished evening prayers Tuesday at a mosque in Muqdadiya, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Baghdad."

I'll bet Allawi knows him!

...into the west.

I certainly don't know that it'll turn out well; depends on how reasonable they are all. Da'wa, its name notwithstanding, has been one of the more reasonable groups.

I hope it turns out well.

you mean that they have been pragmatic about achieving an Islamic state. That was their goal, that is their goal, and that will remain their goal. They're not shouting about it, so it's "reasonable."

too militant if they at least get a state in which they can carry out their practices. The Kurds want independence, some Shi'a want a Shi'a Islamic state, some Sunnis want a secular Ba'athist state, others want a Sunni Arab controlled state.

I'm hoping (not hopeful) that they can all be content to be mildly dissatified. Of course, those calling for violent overthrow and clerical supremacy won't settle. But Da'wa at least seems content to have an Islamic-guided, not cleric-controlled, state.

On the other hand, I don't think I'd be willing to bet even a cup of coffee on that.

I don't support them and their tracking methods.

Thanks.

going right for bushie.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20050223/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

Funny how this guy was voted last.

Can you imagine Kerry still fighting for the president's seat right now?

he ends up PM? I just have this feeling......

of US snipers to put a quick end to any opposing candidates.

Wonder if that coalition will include Chalabi as well?