Iraqi parliament fails to agree on elections law

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Source: Associated Press

Iraqi lawmakers adjourned for the month Wednesday after failing to agree on a provincial election law, casting doubt on whether U.S.-backed balloting can be held in the country's 18 provinces this year.

The development is a setback to U.S. hopes for reconciliation among rival communities despite the decline in violence.

The decision to go into summer recess came after lawmakers failed to break a deadlock over Kurdish opposition to a power-sharing formula for the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk despite days of intense negotiations and heavy pressure from U.S. and U.N. officials.

Officials involved in preparations for the elections — which the U.S. believes are necessary for national reconciliation — have said such a delay would likely push voting to next year.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080806/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

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1. They will continue to do so until Bush is out of office.