Iraq’s Al-Hakim backs multi-member presidential body

By: Hamoud Kufi

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Chairman Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Sayyid Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim said a multi-member presidential body could ease tensions between Iraq's different ethnic communities after the US-led coalition cedes power by end-June.

In an interview late Tuesday, Al-Hakim told AFP: “The Kurds suffered from injustice, they have fears and they would like to occupy different positions” in the state apparatus… The Sunni Arabs, who formed the political elite since the creation of modern Iraq in 1921, “might say 'if we do not hold different positions, our rights might be spoiled and we might be marginalized’… Shiite Muslims, who make up about 60 percent of the population, “are saying 'we suffered injustice during all previous periods'.”

“Everyone should be reassured, we want to reassure them all and we want everyone to participate actively in this period until a constitution is drafted and elections are held,” he said.

He added that the number of members sitting on the presidential council should be open to debate.

Al-Hakim insisted on having direct elections to form the transitional national assembly, due to be in place by May 31 that in turn will appoint the interim executive. He said his group had formed a body of experts and university professors to defend the idea of elections before a UN team, due in Iraq shortly, assesses the feasibility of an early vote.

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