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Juan Cole's Sectarian View of Iraqi Elections
January 19, 2005 - 9:54am -- jim
Jelloul writes:
Juan Cole's"Lebanon-like solution" is: put aside 20% of seats in parliament for the Sunni Arabs:
If elections are held in January, I see only one way to avoid disaster. This would be some sort of emergency decree by the current government that sets aside, say, 20% of seats in parliament for the Sunni Arabs. This procedure would seat Sunni Arab candidates in order of the popularity of their lists and in order of their rank within the lists on which they run. But the results would essentially be "graded on a curve." In a way, this procedure is already being followed for women, who are guaranteed 30% of seats. This solution is Lebanon-like and is not optimal, but it might be the best course if long-term sectarian and ethnic conflict is to be avoided. Remember, the first thing the new parliament will do is craft a permanent constitution. You want Sunni Arabs sitting at that table, or else.
No Mr Cole, a Lebanon-like non-sectarian solution is: leave 50% of seats for Sunni Iraqis — including Sunni Kurds.
Jelloul writes:
Juan Cole's"Lebanon-like solution" is: put aside 20% of seats in parliament for the Sunni Arabs:
If elections are held in January, I see only one way to avoid disaster. This would be some sort of emergency decree by the current government that sets aside, say, 20% of seats in parliament for the Sunni Arabs. This procedure would seat Sunni Arab candidates in order of the popularity of their lists and in order of their rank within the lists on which they run. But the results would essentially be "graded on a curve." In a way, this procedure is already being followed for women, who are guaranteed 30% of seats. This solution is Lebanon-like and is not optimal, but it might be the best course if long-term sectarian and ethnic conflict is to be avoided. Remember, the first thing the new parliament will do is craft a permanent constitution. You want Sunni Arabs sitting at that table, or else.
No Mr Cole, a Lebanon-like non-sectarian solution is: leave 50% of seats for Sunni Iraqis — including Sunni Kurds.