Sunni, Shiite politicians rally around Iraq peace plan

[ECH1969]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday gained the backing of leading Sunni and Shiite politicians for his four-point plan "to stop the bloodshed" in the midst of widespread sectarian violence.

Iraqi media dubbed the pact the "Ramadan Agreement," because of its signing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Under the plan, field committees would be formed, comprising political parties, religious figures, tribal leaders, dignitaries and representatives of the armed forces working to combat violence.

The Central Committee for Peace and Security would follow up with the local committees and coordinate with the General Command of the Iraqi armed forces.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/03/iraq.main/

[ShockediSay]

1. Did MPs ever patrol civilian areas in 2-man white-black teams?

Seems I recall something about this in racially charged areas of the US - the obvious objective being even handed enforcement, and response to these MP enforcers.

Anyway, maybe there's hope in this kind of approach (if it is this kind of dual ethnicity approach) in Iraq.

[Amonester]

2. Those politicians have (almost) no power outside the walls of ...

the "green" zone.

They can talk all they want, though, but talking won't be enough to stop the violence (including torture).

Bring the girls 'n boys back home and let them sort it out for themselves with some help from the UN, but don't count on the newly installed Dictator in the US for any of that...

[Moderator]

3. K

[ECH1969]

4. New Iraqi Bid to End Sectarian Violence

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki held talks with Iraq's political leaders Tuesday, October 3, after the divided nation's factions signed up to a plan to stem spiraling sectarian violence killing 100 people a day and driving some 9,000 from their homes per week.

The plan took the form of a solemn pledge signed by leaders of Iraq's political mosaic after two days of marathon and decisive talks. "We pledge to God, his Prophet and the Iraqi people to address the crisis which is causing all this bloodshed and we pledge to stop this bleeding," said the signed statement.

Maliki's plan envisages creating new security committees at neighborhood level comprised of representatives of different political, religious and civil society groups. Central to the plan is a crackdown on the activities of illegal armed groups, such as the Shiite Mahdi Army of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr that holds sway in many cities in the country.

Sunni leader Adnan Al-Dulaimi, the head of the Sunni parliamentary bloc, said that the latest plan would be able to put an end to violence and bring stability to Iraq. "If everyone is honest and keeps to their commitments, it will be positive for the Iraqi people and put an end to the sectarianism," he told AFP. "If not, it will be the end of Iraq," he warned.

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-10/03/05.shtml

[Eugene]

5. BBC: Iraq plan 'fails to impress'

Last Updated: Tuesday, 3 October 2006, 17:32 GMT 18:32 UK

Iraq plan 'fails to impress'
By Andrew North
BBC News, Baghdad

-snip-

It is in Baghdad that the situation is worst and there is a sense
of desperation in the Iraqi government's announcement of yet another
plan to tackle the sectarian violence tearing the city apart.

This is the third security initiative the government has come up with
for the capital since it took office just four months ago.

-snip-

More and more Iraqis fear it is now too late to prevent this widening
spiral of killing becoming full blown civil war.

So, many gave little more than a weary shrug on hearing of Prime Minister
Nouri al-Maliki's new four-point initiative.

But even those welcoming the move were sceptical, saying they do not
trust officials to implement it.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5403840.stm

The article goes on in detail about how the plan lacks specifics
and how the Iraqi security forces are not and cannot be trusted.

[cui bono]

6. k & r