Iraqi south threatens break up
Tuesday 10 August 2004, 18:05 Makka Time, 15:05 GMT
Deputy Governor of Basra Salam Ouda al-Malki has said he is to announce the separation of some Iraqi southern governorates from the central government in Baghdad.
Informed sources told Aljazeera that al-Maliki said the breakaway province would include Basra, Misan and Dhi Qar governorates.
He also wants to shut Basra's port, and effectively stop oil exports.
Al-Maliki said the decision was taken because the Iraqi interim government is "responsible for the Najaf clashes".
He has not outlined the steps for the implementation of his proposal.
Supply cut
Ali Hammud al-Musawi, head of the Misan governorate council, told Aljazeera that the decision of Basra's Deputy Governor al-Malki is a normal and logical reaction.
"The feelings of Iraqi southerners in particular and Iraqi in general had been despised" al-Musawi said.
"This reaction comes in response to the crimes committed against Iraqis by an illegal and unelected government, and occupation forces who claimed they came to liberate Iraq, but it turned out that they have come to kill Iraqis" he added.
Al-Musawi expressed support for what he described as "our brothers in Basra" and announced that negotiations are going on regarding the activation of the break up.
"Nothing would shock me, we heard of the break up scenario a long time ago, and it seems that the atmosphere in Iraq nowadays is suitable to carry out any pending agendas."
Dr Dhafir al-Ani, Iraqi political analyst
"We are discussing the decision and we will stop Misan's oil flow, until Baghdad's government restores its logic (common sense) and realises that millions of Iraqis care for the people of Najaf and Karbala," al-Musawi said.
"Iyad Allawi should not expect us to support him," he said. "We expected this government to give us justice, democracy and freedom," he added.
Al-Musawi said the interim government did not open communication channels with Iraqis, and used force against them instead.
"We support the unity of Iraq, when there is an Iraqi government that acknowledges all people's rights," al-Musawi said.
"The government should not make irresponsible decisions and attack our religion" he added.
No negotiations
Adnan al-Janabi, State Minister of the Iraqi interim government has played down the break up call.
"The deputy Basra governor is merely an Iraqi official in the Municipal Council of Basra, and does not represent the government" said al-Janabi.
"We do not recognise him, let him say what ever he likes."
Al-Janabi denied reports that suggested negotiations with Shia Muslim leader Muqtada al-sadr are underway.
"They [al-Sadr militias] are outlawed, they must go out of Najaf" he said.
The state minister also denied that any negotiations are being carried out with delegations from al-Najaf city.
Old scheme
For some time there has been talk in Iraq that a plan exists to break the country into three states; Kurdish in the north, Arab Sunni Muslim in the centre, and Arab Shia Muslim in the south.
Dr Dhafir al-Ani, the Iraqi political analyst and former politics professor at Baghdad University, says he would not be surprised if the old rumour proves to be true.
"Nothing would shock me, we heard of the break up scenario a long time ago, and it seems that the atmosphere in Iraq nowadays is suitable to carry out any pending agendas."
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