Topic: Iraqi PM announces new plan to unite Shiite, Sunni parties behind ending sectarian

Media: The Associated Press
Byline: By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
Date: 02 October 2006


BAGHDAD, Iraq_Iraq's prime minister announced a new plan aimed at uniting
the sharply divided Shiite and Sunni parties in his government behind
stopping sectarian violence, as attacks continued with a bold mass
kidnapping of 14 computer shop employees in downtown Baghdad.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki emerged with the plan after talks with the
top Sunni and Shiite leaders in his government, trying to staunch a
potential crisis over the sectarian divisions.

Under the plan, local commissions will be formed in each district of
Baghdad, made up of representatives of each party, to oversee security
forces' efforts against violence, al-Maliki said. A central committee, also
made up of all the parties, will coordinate with the armed forces, he said.

"We have taken the decision to end sectarian hatred once and for all,"
al-Maliki told reporters. "We have vowed before Almighty God to stop the
bloodshed."

One chief goal of the plan appeared to be to end the deepening mistrust
between the Shiite and Sunni parties in the government. Sunnis accuse the
Shiite-led security forces of turning a blind eye to Shiite militia killings
of Sunnis.

Shiite politicians, meanwhile, accused Sunni parties of links to terrorists
after a bodyguard of a top Sunni party leader, Adnan al-Dulaimi, was
arrested by U.S. forces and accused of plotting al-Qaida bombings.