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In Iraq, Senior Shia Muslim Cleric Wants National Elections to Choose Governing Assembly

Aired January 12, 2004 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq, that nation's most senior Shia Muslim cleric wants national elections to choose a governing assembly. But that goes against what the Bush administration wants.
Live to Baghdad now and Satinder Bindra for a look at this dispute -- hello, Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello and good morning, Carol.

As you mentioned, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a very powerful figure here, he's the spiritual head of this country's 16 million Shiites -- now just yesterday a member of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council visited the Ayatollah and he continues to oppose a U.S. plan to hold indirect or caucus style elections to choose an assembly that will then appoint a provisional government. The Ayatollah is very firm. He wants direct elections, because he believes direct elections will benefit this country's 16 million Shias.

However, the United States saying it's too early to hold direct elections, plus there could be violence. Furthermore, the United States saying that Baathists and pro-Saddam forces could come to the forefront.

Now, Carol, the last word in this political controversy hasn't been said yet. This entire debate will move stateside on January the 19th, when coalition authorities, the Iraqi Governing Council and, of course, the U.N. secretary general, Mr. Kofi Annan, will sit down for further political dialogue.

From politics to economics, Carol, today we have signs of some more trouble in southern Iraq, in the city of Kut. If you'll recall, over the past two to three days, large crowds have been gathering in southern Iraq. they are protesting because they're saying coalition forces have failed to give them jobs.

If you'll recall, just last Saturday six Iraqis were killed when they were fired upon by British forces and Iraqi police. So that violence and that trouble still continuing. No signs that tensions are easing up in southern Iraq -- back to you now.

COSTELLO: Satinder Bindra live from Baghdad this morning.

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Elections to Choose Governing Assembly>


Aired January 12, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq, that nation's most senior Shia Muslim cleric wants national elections to choose a governing assembly. But that goes against what the Bush administration wants.
Live to Baghdad now and Satinder Bindra for a look at this dispute -- hello, Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello and good morning, Carol.

As you mentioned, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a very powerful figure here, he's the spiritual head of this country's 16 million Shiites -- now just yesterday a member of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council visited the Ayatollah and he continues to oppose a U.S. plan to hold indirect or caucus style elections to choose an assembly that will then appoint a provisional government. The Ayatollah is very firm. He wants direct elections, because he believes direct elections will benefit this country's 16 million Shias.

However, the United States saying it's too early to hold direct elections, plus there could be violence. Furthermore, the United States saying that Baathists and pro-Saddam forces could come to the forefront.

Now, Carol, the last word in this political controversy hasn't been said yet. This entire debate will move stateside on January the 19th, when coalition authorities, the Iraqi Governing Council and, of course, the U.N. secretary general, Mr. Kofi Annan, will sit down for further political dialogue.

From politics to economics, Carol, today we have signs of some more trouble in southern Iraq, in the city of Kut. If you'll recall, over the past two to three days, large crowds have been gathering in southern Iraq. they are protesting because they're saying coalition forces have failed to give them jobs.

If you'll recall, just last Saturday six Iraqis were killed when they were fired upon by British forces and Iraqi police. So that violence and that trouble still continuing. No signs that tensions are easing up in southern Iraq -- back to you now.

COSTELLO: Satinder Bindra live from Baghdad this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com



Elections to Choose Governing Assembly>