Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Cleric Opposes Rebaathification

Posted Apr 3, 07 8:17 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – A bill allowing Saddam's party members back into power in Iraq has been rejected by that country's most powerful cleric. The law, aggressively  pushed by the U.S.,  would  allow former low-level Baathists--most of them Sunnis--to hold positions in government. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the powerful Shiite cleric, dismissed the law through an aide, who cited a "general feeling of rejection."

The reclusive Sistani rarely makes such proclamations, and this one is certain to fuel more violence. The draft law has already sparked attacks that killed 59 Iraqis and three coalition soldiers today. Shiites welcomed the purging of Baathists initiated by Paul Bremer in 2003, but America's senior envoy says rolling it back will help quiet the Sunni insurgency.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Maliki's Power Grabs Stir Fears of 'Shiite Saddam'

    Nov 24, 08 10:18 AM CST
    Maliki's Power Grabs Stir Fears of 'Shiite Saddam' Ratification this week of a deal that would put an expiration date on the US deployment in Iraq stands to boost the prestige of PM Nouri al-Maliki, who in recent months has consolidated his power in moves that echo previous authoritarian regimes. As one Western observer tells the Los Angeles Times, Maliki is poised to become “a benevolent Shiite Saddam.” More »

  • US Halts Hanging of Convicted Saddam Chief

    Oct 13, 07 4:07 PM CDT
    US Halts Hanging of Convicted Saddam Chief The US stopped Saddam's defense chief from hanging last month, claiming Iraqi outrage inspired the pardon — but insiders say that Sultan Hashem earned his reprieve by thwarting Iraqi attacks during the 2003 US-led invasion. Officials tell Time that Hashem’s execution would be a “gross miscarriage of justice” since his work “saved American lives.” More »

  • US Hails Iraq Breakthrough

    Aug 27, 07 5:15 AM CDT
    US Hails Iraq Breakthrough In what is being hailed as a breakthrough in Iraq, Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders yesterday  announced that they have reached a consensus on key political issues, Reuters reports. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the other leaders claimed to have forged an agreement on releasing some detainees, easing curbs on employing former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, and distribution of power to provinces. More »

  • Bill Would Put Ba'athists Back in Power

    Mar 28, 07 8:47 AM CDT
    Bill Would Put Ba'athists Back in Power Ba'athists will be allowed back in government posts if a bill proposed yesterday, aimed at  reconciling dissident Sunnis with the Shiite-dominated government, passes the Iraqi parliament.  The U.S has been pushing for the law to law to woo the former Saddam loyalists —mostly Sunnis— into the political process to quell Sunni insurgency. More »

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports rolling back debaathification   (Getty Images)
The rarely-photographed Sistani, seen here on a handout, opposes the law   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Iraq • Shiite • Sunni • Saddam Hussein • Ba'ath party • Paul Bremer • Ali al Sistani • Ba'thists


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Home Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »