Event outside the Iraqi Embassy today in London

Calling for the Speedy Formation of National Unity Government to Defeat Terror and Sectarian Sedition and Build a Free Democratic Iraq Organised by Iraqi political organisations and groups in UK. Tuesday, 7 March 2006, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. The Iraqi Embassy, 9 Holland Villas Road, London W14 8BP

Parliament Could Be In Session By End Of The Week

This report and this report suggest that Iraqs new parliament could be called into session by March 12th, and possibly by the end of this week. The significance of this date is that the constitution requires parliament to hold its first meeting no later than four week after the election result is certified. Once parliament meets, they have 60 days to elect a president and approve a prime minister and cabinet. Even if parliament were to be convened, these subjects could still prove divisive. It was reported earlier that President Jalal Talabani was now attempting to block the Shiite prime … Continue reading Parliament Could Be In Session By End Of The Week

Building a rights-based, federal democracy

The Iraqi Ambassador to Canada Howar Ziad says Iraq is in a struggle between truth and falsehood, between decency and depravity, between democracy and dictatorship and between freedom and slavery. Before its liberation in April, 2003, Iraq was not a peaceful democracy, nor was it a country of social justice, or of ethnic, religious and linguistic tolerance as this great country Canada is. No, Iraq was a country occupied by a foreign ideology, the fascist idea of Baathism; a country in which the regime was at war with the people; a regime that was at war with its neighbours and … Continue reading Building a rights-based, federal democracy

Dave Anderson, LFIQ Chair tables Commons motion in defence of Iraqi trade unions

EDM 1689 reads as follows: Iraqi Trade Unions That this House supports the independent and democratic Iraqi trade union movement, mainly centred around the newly merged Iraqi Workers Federation (IWF) and the Kurdish trade unions, which play an important role in re-building of its devastated national economy and consolidating the current political process in order to create a democratic, united and federal state after years of repression and hardship at the hands of the deposed dictatorship of Saddam; is, therefore, deeply disturbed that on 8 August 2005 the Iraqi council of ministers issued Decree 8750 which declared that union finances … Continue reading Dave Anderson, LFIQ Chair tables Commons motion in defence of Iraqi trade unions

Differing Signals As Iraq Stares Into Abyss

The International Crisis Group suggests that although the sectarian violence may die down in the short term, the structural dynamic still indicates that civil war is likely. CNN has interviewed the Iraqi national security adviser who remains more optimistic. However, at least one Iraqi blogger suggests that the reported violence may have been exaggerated. (David Spector)

The stakes are very high

Jabbar Hasan Director Of The Iraqi Community Association In London tells the Mirror his views of the current situation in Iraq. I think all Iraqis were guilty of wishful thinking when they denied the danger of sectarian conflict. We have just seen an act of terrorism timed and planned to spin Iraq into civil war. It is up to community leaders and politicians to get a grip of the situation, but Saddam’s Ba’athist party members, jihadists and foreign powers are all interested in destabilising the situation further. In a civil war the only winners will those who are against the … Continue reading The stakes are very high

Co-ordinating Committee of Iraqi Democratic Forces public meeting Saturday 24th February

Public Meeting To Defeat Terrorism and Sectarian Sedition and Consolidate Iraqi National Unity Organised by: Co-ordinating Committee of Iraqi Democratic Forces (UK) Saturday, 25 February 2006, 7.00 p.m, The Polish Centre, Malinowa Room, 2nd Floor, 238-246 King Street, London W6 0RF (Nearest underground: Hammersmith or Ravenscourt Park) ** Speakers will include representatives of Iraqi political groups in Britain. The meeting is open to all members of the Iraqi community, as well as British friends and the media. Our homeland Iraq is going through extremely difficult days and a deep political crisis as a result of the repercussions of the criminal … Continue reading Co-ordinating Committee of Iraqi Democratic Forces public meeting Saturday 24th February

More condemnations of attack and some cautious optimism

Both the United Nations envoy to Iraq, Ahraf Qazi, and the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana have condemned the shrine bombing and subsequent sectarian violence. The former is inviting political, religious and civil leaders to discussions aimed at easing tensions. And Baghdad Blogger suggests cautious optimism. (David Spector)

Calls for unity after Golden Mosque Bombing

The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari has argued that insurgents are trying everything to foment civil war and sectarian violence. President Talabani will be calling for a joint demonstration of Shiites and Sunni Muslims to show unity. (David Spector)

The need for unity

The Times Leader argues that Iraq is not, though, at a stage where it can afford the luxury of lethargy. A government should be established by the middle of next month. It could then consider amendments to the constitution to reassure Sunnis further. If that were to take place, and it is not an impractical possibility, then the overwhelming bulk of Iraqis would be willingly bound into a democratic, federal and pluralist political order. This is a plausible prospect that many critics have long dismissed as impossible. It would not, alas, eliminate overnight tragedies such as car bombings or the … Continue reading The need for unity