Dissolve the Parliament, abolish the Constitution, declare martial law, allow only Iraqi military forces (central Iraq -- this would eject the Peshmerga from all non-KRG areas -- and it would overrule provincial forces -- to the outrage of many), continue executions under emergency law (this would bypass the approval currently required from the presidency) and cut off all telecommunications and internet.
This is not a plan for stability. It is a plan to carry out mass killings and to do so as far away from the world's eye as possible.
It really is amazing that Nouri is contemplating this. Even more amazing is that Time published a piece this week insisting the poor performance of State of Law in the recent provincial elections had brought about a new humility in Nouri.
That would be a new humility -- brand new, since he's never exhibited humility before. I'm not sure what's more amazing, how a petty and vicious despot like Nouri has managed to fool so many reporters or that so many reporters have been so consistently fooled?
In this climate, Mohammad Sabah (Al Mada) reports that Parliament is contemplating what is being termed a government of salvation which would call for the resignation of Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister in an effort to reduce violence and to address the political crises. The plan is said to be discussed by members of Iraqiya, Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc and the Turkmen Front. All Iraq News reports that Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi is stating that a salvation government is not possible and that, "The current government will not resign because the remaining time of its term is very short. We need a national agreement and to nominate the security ministers and to have a transparent revelation of what is going on in the country."
Meanwhile, Kitabat reports thousands are protesting in Basra today against the government, its inability to provide security and the lack of public services. What makes this especially news worthy is that Basra is predominately Shi'ite (the non-Shi'ite population is less than 15% of the total population). There have been ongoing protests against the government since December 21st but the worldwide press has repeatedly portrayed it as a "Sunni protest." It has not been just Sunnis but it is harder to portray the protest in Basra as "Sunni." Most likely, this protest is in response to Moqtada al-Sadr's weekend remarks noting that people should be in the streets protesting the lack of security and the failure of the government to provide the basics.
Former Prime Minister Ibrahiam al-Jaafari spoke of Nouri today. Kitabat reports he called out Nouri's recent verbal attacks on Moqtada and maintains that Nouri's remarks are an effort to create a crisis which will help distract from the two prison breaks this week. Alsumaria notes that, in a press conference today, Speaker of Parliament al-Nujaifi noted that a Parliamentary commission is investigating the prison breaks and will have findings to release by this Sunday. Alsumaria also notes that the Human Rights Commission of Iraq is stating the prison breaks are a "disgrace" and a stain for Nouri. All Iraq News notes that Nouri is supposed to meet later today with Osama al-Nujaifi.
On the prison break, for the many complaining in e-mails that NPR hasn't covered it, today on Morning Edition, they finally cover it via a report by Dina Temple-Raston.
In other (or possibly related) news, Dar Addustour reports that State of Law's Haider al-Abadi and Citizen bloc MP Aziz Okkaily got into a physical altercation in Parliament on Wednesday.
Outside of Parliament, violence continues as well. Iraq Body Count counts 759 violent deaths in Iraq so far this month through yesterday. National Iraqi News Agency reports 2 suspects were shot dead in Mosul, a Kirkuk car bombing left six police officers injured, an attack on the Peshmerga in Erbil left 1 taxi driver dead and four security elements injured, and a home in Basra that allegedly sold alcohol was bombed.
Yesterday, the United Nations noted:
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) until 31 July 2014 so it can continue to advise and support the country, which has been hit by the worst violence in years, to progress on the path to stability and development.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body also called on the Government of Iraq to continue to provide security and logistical support to the Mission, and on Member States to continue to provide it with sufficient resources.
Further, the Council decided that the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq and UNAMI shall continue their mandate with regard to overseeing outstanding issues relating to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
The mandate renewal comes amid an upsurge in violence and terrorist acts that have targeted mainly civilians and civilian infrastructure in Iraq, resulting in high civilian casualties at levels not seen since 2008, according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on UNAMI.
Turning to veterans issues, Aaron Glantz continues his coverage of the VA with "Despite need, no plans to add veterans health centers at more colleges" (Center for Investigative Journalism):
When it opened in 2010, the VA clinic at City College of San Francisco was touted as a model for the future – the first health care offered by the agency on a college campus. The staff includes a social worker and a psychiatrist who can help veterans find jobs and make appointments for other types of care at the main VA.
But three years later, there is no plan for a widespread national rollout. Although nearly 1 million veterans used the GI Bill to go to college last year, the VA says its health care system so far has served 6,000 on fewer than three dozen campuses.
The initiative remains in the pilot stage, with a $2.8 million annual budget. Funds go only to schools where both the local VA and a college administrator express interest, not necessarily to those with the greatest needs. At nearly all schools with the largest veteran populations, the VA is providing no health services.
The following community sites -- plus The NewsHour, Susan's On the Edge, Antiwar.com, Pacifica Evening News, The Diane Rehm Show and Ms. magazine's blog -- updated last night and this morning:
And, on the topic of veterans, we'll close with this from Senator Patty Murray's office (she is the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee and the former Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee):
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Murray Press Office
Wednesday, July 24, 2013 (202) 224-2834
Murray Bill to Help Catastrophically Wounded Veterans Start a Family Clears Major Hurdle
Murray calls for quick action on bill to end the VA’s ban on In
Vitro Fertilization which has prevented thousands of veterans with
traumatic brain injury and serious spinal cord or reproductive organ
injuries from accessing fertility care
Last Congress Murray’s bill passed the Senate unanimously only to be stalled in the House of Representatives
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) that ends the ban on in vitro fertilization (IVF) services at VA in order to help severely wounded veterans start families was cleared through the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Senator Murray’s bill, the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act of 2013, also builds upon previous law to improve VA services for women veterans and veterans with families.
Late last year, Senator Murray was able to pass the bill through the U.S. Senate after delivering an impassioned speech
on the Senate floor describing the challenges veterans and their
families face in accessing IVF. Unfortunately, the bill failed to move
in the House of Representatives in time to make its way to the
President’s desk after Republican leaders there expressed opposition.
Working with advocates and military families, like Staff Sergeant Matt Keil and his wife Tracy, Sen. Murray is pushing for the Senate to once again immediately take up and pass this legislation.
“There is absolutely no reason that this bill should not move quickly to the President’s desk,” said
Senator Murray.
“It was passed unanimously in the Senate, and the House has a
responsibility to our most seriously wounded veterans and their spouses
to act. This is about giving veterans who have sacrificed everything,
every option we have to help them fulfill the simple dream of starting a
family. It says that we are not turning our back on the catastrophic
reproductive wounds that have become a signature of these wars. It says
to all those brave men and women that didn’t ask questions when they
were put in harm’s way that we won’t let politics get in the way of our
commitment to you. We owe them nothing less.”
Last year, the New York Times ran an editorial emphasizing the importance of providing these services saying:
“In more than a
decade of combat overseas, the military and V.A. have continually had to
adjust to the challenges of new traumas with new treatments, as with
the epidemic of brain injuries and post-traumatic stress. Adapting the
V.A. health system to better meet reproductive-health needs should be
part of that response. It is one compassionate way to fulfill the
country’s duty to wounded veterans.”
Department
of Defense (DOD) data show that between 2003 and 2012 nearly 2000
servicemembers have suffered reproductive and urinary tract trauma. The
reliance on foot patrols in Afghanistan and the prevalence of improvised
explosive devices has left servicemembers far more susceptible to these
injuries. In fact, these data show a clear increase in injuries of this
nature in recent years.
Veterans
who have severe reproductive and urinary tract injuries and spinal cord
injuries (SCI) often need highly specialized treatments and procedures
like IVF to conceive. However, under current law, IVF is expressly
excluded from fertility services that are provided by the VA to veterans
or their spouses. This is a significant barrier for veterans with SCI
and genital and urinary tract injuries and as a result they have to seek
care outside of the VA. DOD currently provides access to IVF services
under the Tricare program and coverage for IVF and other fertility
treatments at no charge to severely combat wounded servicemembers.
Senator Murray’s bill would provide veterans with the same access.
Murray’s
bill also will give VA permanent authority to offer child care programs
at hospitals and Vet Centers for veterans seeking care, and improve
outreach to women veterans.
###
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Meghan Roh
Press Secretary | New Media Director
Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
Mobile: (202) 365-1235
Office: (202) 224-2834
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
iraq dar addustour al mada mohammad sabah national iraqi news agency aaron glantz the center for investigative journalism npr morning edition dina temple-raston iraq
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