Iraqi Foreign Minister signals violence could delay election

[anakie]

Landmark elections planned for next month could be delayed in some parts of Iraq due to the fragile security situation, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said in an interview with Chinese state media.

Mr Zebari told Xinhua news agency that with security still a major concern, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) may decide to delay the elections scheduled for January 30.

"Elections in dangerous regions like Mosul and around Baghdad may be delayed so that we can concentrate our security resources to destroy opponents' capacity to target and intimidate people," Mr Zebari said.

Mr Zibari says the IEC will have the final say, but also stressed that there will be no significant changes to the pre-designed election schedule.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272739.htm

Well well well there's a surprise.

[grumpy old fart]

1. duh, duh, duh

[karlrschneider]

2. I am Shocked. SHOCKED!

Who'da thunk dat?

[buddysmellgood]

3. Let's say you delay the election due to violence. Then what? Let's say you

wait for things to calm down and they do. But won't the insurgents just be waiting for the election? I'm not saying I think they should have the election sooner, I just think without some kind of change, we will get more of the same no matter when the election is held. We are screwed.

[bemildred]

4. I expect someone will have a quiet talk with Mr. Zebari.

Not reading from your assigned script is frowned on.

[grumpy old fart]

5. Zebari? Not gonna be hearing nothing from him no more...

sleeping with the fishes soon......

[bemildred]

6. That seems possible too, or hanging from a lamppost. nt