Maliki blames quota system for slow ministerial performance

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday blamed the quota system for what he described as the slow performance of Iraqi ministries in the aftermath of the collapse of the former regime. “The quota system has brought in unqualified persons, who are incapable of shouldering responsibility,” Maliki said in a speech during his visit to al-Haidariya city (40 km south of Karbala city). Karbala, with an estimated population of 572,300 people in 2003, is the capital of the province and is considered to be one of Shiite Muslims’ holiest cities. The city, 110 km south of Baghdad, is one of Iraq’s wealthiest, profiting both from religious visitors and agricultural produce, especially dates. SS (P) 1