WH trying to compromise with Ayat Seestani

By: Nabil Raza

WASHINGTON: The White House on Friday announced to mull over proposals to refine or improve its troubled plan for turning over power in Iraq in order to accommodate demands by Iraq's Ayatullah As-Seestani for direct elections.

But WH insisted that the United States is sticking with the framework of an agreement that calls for an un-elected, temporary government by July 1.

Following Thursday’s demonstration by tens of thousands of Iraqis in Basra in support of Ayatullah Seestani, the chief US overseer in Iraq L. Paul Bremer III was called home to confer with President Bush, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and other officials.

Council members and US coalition authorities have been tinkering with the plan. There is talk of holding local referendums to approve some nominees. It isn't clear whether that will satisfy the Ayatullah.

The Bush administration fears Seestani could issue a religious decree, a fatwa, urging followers not to cooperate with procedures to create a transition government by June 30.

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