re: Good News from the Middle East: Part 4
A breakthrough in the Iraqi political process?
parliamnentary blocs have agreed on calling the new parliament to convene on Sunday March 19...
...the leaders of the UIA are willing to pull back Jafari's nomination and present a new candidate but on rather tough conditions.
The source said he believes the Shia leaders need more time to negotiate these conditions with the Kurdish, Accord and Iraqi blocs.
At least that's what the UIA has been propagating among their supporters lately and I suspect this represents an effort to preserve the 'face' of the bloc before declaring reaching compromise with the other blocs.
If this report is true it could mean major progress in the goal of a national unity government with all major political blocks represented.
UIA has little choice as the Kurds, Accord and Iraqi List have enough votes to block Jafari once parliment is called into session, as they have indicated they will. The only option UIA would have is to split southern Iraq off as a seperate state.