- Title: IRAQ: OPPOSITION GROUPS CONTINUE BAGHDAD TALKS ON INTERIM GOVERNMENT.
- Date: 3rd May 2003
- Summary: (EU) IRAQ, BAGHDAD (MAY 1, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. GV/MV: SECURITY FOR POLITICAL LEADERS FROM ACROSS IRAQ OUTSIDE HOTEL (5 SHOTS) 0.25 2. MCU/PAN: AHMAD CHALABI WALKING INTO HOTEL SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE/MEDIA 0.36 3. MV/MCU: MORE SECURITY OUTSIDE HOTEL (3 SHOTS) 0.54 4. GV/MV/MCU: POLITICAL FIGURES AT MEETING TABLE INSIDE HOTEL (6 SHOTS) 1.12 (EU) IRAQ, BAGHDAD (MAY 1, 2003) (REUTERS) 5. MV: AHMAD CHALABI SITTING DOWN TO INTERVIEW 1.18 6. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) AHMAD CHALABI, LEADER OF THE FORMERLY EXILED IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS AND PRO-AMERICAN POLITICIAN, SPEAKING AT BAGHDAD'S HUNTING CLUB: "We had discussions about the current situation and also the political road map for the immediate future. We supported the formation of the Iraqi provisional government and we emphasised that the basis for political action is the statement of the Salahuddin Conference" 1.59 7. CU: CHALABI'S HANDS 2.04 8. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) AHMAD CHALABI, LEADER OF THE FORMERLY EXILED IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS AND PRO-AMERICAN POLITICIAN, SPEAKING AT BAGHDAD'S HUNTING CLUB: "You see this situation is conducive to violence. We want to avoid violence. We want to do things which will make the people feel that things have changed and there is accountability. If there is no such thing then the situation will explode into violence." 2.28 9. CU: CHALABI'S HANDS 2.30 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 18th May 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVA5TJGZ8BSRJ320PWHM3LC65GXN
- Story Text: Leading Iraqi political figures have met in the Iraqi
capital of Baghdad to discuss U.S. efforts to set up an
interim authority in Iraq as violence continued to wrack the
country and pro-American politician Ahmad Chalabi warned of
the possibility of further eruptions of violence.
Security forces for political leaders of a spectrum of
largely pro-American political groups were much in evidence as
the leaders met to discuss an interim political authority for
Iraq.
The meeting came a day after a visit to the country by
U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Leading Iraqis agreed at a meeting on Monday with the U.S.
administrator of Iraq, Jay Garner, to hold a national
conference in the next four weeks to choose an interim
government.
Leader of the formerly exiled Iraqi National Congress,
Ahmad Chalabi and other key political parties on Thursday (May
1) held discussions on the U.S. efforts to set up an interim
authority.
Pro-American Ahmad Chalabi, recently back from decades in
exile, said that growing frustration about the disruption to
basic services in Iraq could prompt new bouts of violence.
Chalabi, speaking at the Hunting Club in west Baghdad,
said further violence could erupt if former top officials in
Saddam's Baath party were not held to account, adding that
there could be a role for a body such as South Africa's
post-Apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
He said the former opposition parties -- which could not
work openly inside Iraq under Saddam -- should be at the core
of such a government but it should also include people who
stayed in Iraq under the former government.
Basic services have been disrupted by the U.S.-led war
that toppled Saddam Hussein. Some areas in towns and cities
have no mains water and electricity is often intermittant.
Many Iraqis complain heatedly about the lack of such
services and are angry that the United States has not moved
faster to set up an interim government.
Many Iraqis questioned in the street have little knowledge
of Chalabi, who has lived outside Iraq for decades, or are
sceptical about him because of his close ties with Washington.
He is better known in the West where he was in exile.
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