IRAQ: IRAQI'S IN BAGHDAD HAVE MIXED OPINIONS ABOUT THE FORMATION OF AN IRAQI GOVERNMENT.

Record ID: 860739

  • Title: IRAQ: IRAQI'S IN BAGHDAD HAVE MIXED OPINIONS ABOUT THE FORMATION OF AN IRAQI GOVERNMENT.
  • Date: 20th January 2004
  • Summary: (W3) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (FILE) (REUTERS) GV: TWILIGHT DAMAGED U.N HQ. WS: DAMAGED U.N HQ FOLLOWING SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK IN AUGUST. MLV: U.N. FLAG FLYS ABOVE U.N HQ.
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • City:
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA541051HINRUQBB50VQISPUJ3D
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Iraqis have mixed opinions about the formation of an Iraqi government.
    Iraqis on the streets of Baghdad on Tuesday (January 20) gave their reactions to the United Nations' comments that it is likely to send a mission to Iraq. The mission would help resolve demands by Shiites for immediate direct elections, and would be sent in response to a request on Monday by Iraqi leaders and the United States.
    Iraq's most revered Shi'ite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, demands direct elections immediately for a provisional government.
    U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters further discussions were necessary before he could make a decision to dispatch the team. U.N. officials said a four-member security unit, about to go to Iraq, would have to report back first.
    The demand for elections spilled into the streets of Baghdad, on Sunday, where up to 100,000 Iraqis marched through the centre of the city in support of Sistani a few hours before the U.N.meeting. Shi'ites make up more than 60 percent of the Iraqi population.
    The Coalition Provisional Authority, has called for a new national assembly to be established through a complicated caucus procedure before a temporary government can take office on June 30.
    After that Iraqis are to write a constitution and plan elections for a permanent government by the end of 2005.
    Annan has said repeatedly Iraq was too dangerous since he ordered out international staff in October, following two attacks on U.N. offices and humanitarian organisations in Baghdad. An August 19 blast killed 22 people, including the U.N. mission head, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
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