The Hindu : Shia protests gather further momentum

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 22, 2004

International

International

Shia protests gather further momentum

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, JAN. 21. Protests by Iraqi Shias against the U.S. plan to position an unelected Iraqi transition government by June are gathering further momentum, with thousands marching on Wednesday in the southern town of Samawa.

The demonstrators were supporting the demand by Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, the top most Shia cleric in Iraq, for direct elections to usher Iraqi self-rule. The rally took place a day after huge demonstrations in support of Ayatollah Sistani hit the streets of Najaf and Karbala — cities that are considered holy to Shias across the globe.

Indicating Ayatollah Sistani's growing support, Shia demonstrators in thousands have marched in Basra and Baghdad, rejecting the U.S. transition blueprint over the last week. "We are here to support the position of (Ayatollah Sistani), who wants Iraqis to have the right to choose their own system of government and constitution," said the Shia cleric's representative, Ali Al-Mubali, at the start of Wednesday's protest.

The demonstration came less than 48 hours after the arrival of a contingent of Japanese troops in the town.

The troops stayed away from the crowds that chanted, "We are all with al-Sistani and we want no one else".

"We want elections, and the appointment of the right people for the right positions," said Abd al-Amir Kazim al-Khafaji, Vice-Chancellor of science for the University of Muthanna province, of which Samawa is the capital. "Al-Sistani's position is right.

Iraqi resistance attacked a U.S. patrol in Mosul earlier today. Six Iraqis, several American soldiers and a Turkish driver were injured in the incident.

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