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Iraq Misses Mark on US Demands

Sectarian political deadlock stymies progress on mandated milestones

By Greg Atwan,  Newser User

Posted Jun 13, 2007 8:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Iraqi government has flubbed virtually all of the legal benchmarks proscribed by the US occupation. Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish blocs in Iraq's legislature have so far failed to agree on watershed issues like distributing oil wealth, debaathification, and curbing sectarian violence; now scorekeepers are saying no major legislation will make it through this year.

The Times reports that legislative power is balkanizing in Iraq, with local governments seizing control from Baghdad and local factions blocking progress on critical federal issues. Powerful figures like PM Nouri al-Maliki, Ahmad Chalabi, and Ayatollah Sistani have proven intractable in forging compromise, disappointing the White House and Congress.

In this image released by the Iraqi Government, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, left, talks during his meeting with Iraqi governors in Baghdad, Sunday, June 3, 2007.  Maliki said We need a stable democratic united Iraq , with justice and equality among all and not the Iraq wanted by others as...
In this image released by the Iraqi Government, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, left, talks during his meeting with Iraqi governors in Baghdad, Sunday, June 3, 2007. Maliki said "We need a stable...   (Associated Press)
Iraqis rally in protest against a talk show aired by Al-Jazeera television, in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, May 4, 2007. Thousands of angry Shiites poured onto the streets in towns and cities across central and southern Iraq to protest what they took to be...
Iraqis rally in protest against a talk show aired by Al-Jazeera television, in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, May 4, 2007. Thousands of angry Shiites poured onto the...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki , second left, Iraq's Defence Minister Abdul Qader al-Obeidi, left, Iraqi army chief of staff Babakir Zebari third left and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, second right,  attending a conference held with Iraqi...
In this photo released by the Iraqi government, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki , second left, Iraq's Defence Minister Abdul Qader al-Obeidi, left, Iraqi army chief of staff Babakir Zebari third...   (Associated Press)
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