r two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If al

As if the United States didn’t have enough problems with the War in Iraq, the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a powerful Shiite party with strong ties to Iran, is causing trouble.

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the party, has called for legislation allowing the southern provinces of Iraq the opportunity to start the process of creating semi-autonomous states in Iraq, according to a New York Times article written by Richard A. Oppel, Jr. and Abdul Razzaq Al-Saiedi. If the new regions are established, they would have considerable control over their own security and oil resources, according to the Times article published on September 11.

While federalization of Iraq may be right for the country down the road, the government needs to be unified right now because of the violence in the country that is threatening to rip it apart. The Shiites can point to the Kurds autonomy and claim their fair share, but the Kurds have had their autonomy since the Gulf War, when the country was reasonably stable. Saddam Hussein was a monster, but Sunnis weren’t killing Shiites in escalating numbers and vise versa.

Now would be a bad time to call for autonomous regions, considering the fight that would ensue over who has the rights to the vast oil reserves. The best policy for right now would be to share them until the country becomes stable. Hakim’s plan is being challenged by Sunni leaders, one of whom warned against pushing the legislation through.

According to the Times article, Dhafir al-Ani, a Sunni member of parliament, said that “approving Mr. Hakim’s proposal without first resolving these issues would “abort the plan for national reconciliation and will make the national unity government fail.”” Mr. Ani also believed that Hakim would look to implement the policy immediately and not in a year or two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If all

. Oppel, Jr. and Abdul Razzaq Al-Saiedi. If the new regions are established, they would have considerable control over their own security and oil resources, according to the Times article published on September 11.

While federalization of Iraq may be right for the country down the road, the government needs to be unified right now because of the violence in the country that is threatening to rip it apart. The Shiites can point to the Kurds autonomy and claim their fair share, but the Kurds have had their autonomy since the Gulf War, when the country was reasonably stable. Saddam Hussein was a monster, but Sunnis weren’t killing Shiites in escalating numbers and vise versa.

Now would be a bad time to call for autonomous regions, considering the fight that would ensue over who has the rights to the vast oil reserves. The best policy for right now would be to share them until the country becomes stable. Hakim’s plan is being challenged by Sunni leaders, one of whom warned against pushing the legislation through.

According to the Times article, Dhafir al-Ani, a Sunni member of parliament, said that “approving Mr. Hakim’s proposal without first resolving these issues would “abort the plan for national reconciliation and will make the national unity government fail.”” Mr. Ani also believed that Hakim would look to implement the policy immediately and not in a year or two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If al

m their fair share, but the Kurds have had their autonomy since the Gulf War, when the country was reasonably stable. Saddam Hussein was a monster, but Sunnis weren’t killing Shiites in escalating numbers and vise versa.

Now would be a bad time to call for autonomous regions, considering the fight that would ensue over who has the rights to the vast oil reserves. The best policy for right now would be to share them until the country becomes stable. Hakim’s plan is being challenged by Sunni leaders, one of whom warned against pushing the legislation through.

According to the Times article, Dhafir al-Ani, a Sunni member of parliament, said that “approving Mr. Hakim’s proposal without first resolving these issues would “abort the plan for national reconciliation and will make the national unity government fail.”” Mr. Ani also believed that Hakim would look to implement the policy immediately and not in a year or two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If al

s plan is being challenged by Sunni leaders, one of whom warned against pushing the legislation through.

According to the Times article, Dhafir al-Ani, a Sunni member of parliament, said that “approving Mr. Hakim’s proposal without first resolving these issues would “abort the plan for national reconciliation and will make the national unity government fail.”” Mr. Ani also believed that Hakim would look to implement the policy immediately and not in a year or two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If al

r two, as Hakim claimed, according to the Times article.

The Shiites have continuously pushed for autonomy in the south, which has angered the Sunnis. The Sunnis dominated the central government under Saddam, but partition now would be a serious problem considering the amount of violence that presently exists in the country.

Many have said that the only chance Iraq has of avoiding civil war is by having a political solution to the civil strife. If all of the sides can’t agree, there won’t be a unity government. The government is fragile and doesn’t need fighting over autonomy. The Shiites must back off of this political battle. In turn, the Sunnis and Kurds must agree to work with the Shiites, so this isn’t a one-sided deal.

SOURCE
Oppel, Richard A. Jr. and Abdul Razzaq al-Saiedi. “Deal That Won Sunni Backing of Iraq Constitution Sours.” The New York Times, September 11, 2006.