Iraqis blast politicians in new Governing Council

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/4747341.htm

BAGHDAD, July 13 (Reuters) - Baghdad residents poured cold water on Iraq's new Governing Council on Sunday, saying they would not support a U.S.-backed institution or politicians who lived abroad while they suffered under Saddam Hussein.

The council held its much-anticipated inaugural meeting in Baghdad, seen in Washington as a first step towards a democratic government in postwar Iraq.

But while U.S. and U.N. officials in Iraq hailed the meeting as historic, Iraqis did not make a big deal of it -- and some had not heard about it at all.

"We cannot back the council. It is backed by America and it won't change anything. America has just made empty promises," said Sabah Kathim, who makes about three dollars a day selling ice.

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[Sagan]

1. Ah, so THERE'S Chalabi...

*snip*

Hashim and his friends said Iraqis had little respect for Council members like Ahmed Chalabi, the Iraqi National Congress leader convicted for embezzlement in Jordan.

"Where was Chalabi and the others?" he asked. Chalabi, born into a prominent Iraqi business and political family, had been in exile since 1958 until April this year.

*snip*

I figured he'd be on the Council, but I note that the fact is not being advertised. He must have some serious dirt on somebody in the misAdministration.

[KellyW]

2. Iraqi Quisling Council

The short name