Mosul parties’ intransigence encumbered IIP initiative – spokesman

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: An initiative launched by the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) to settle the crisis between the ruling al-Hadbaa List and the Kurdish Fraternal Ninewa List was encumbered by the two sides’ intransigence and refusal to offer concessions, according to the spokesman for the Sunni Iraqi Accord Front (IAF) on Sunday. “The initiative, which had been led by IIP Secretary General Osama al-Tikriti and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has already gone a long way but was finally upset by both sides’ rejection to offer concessions,” Saleem al-Juburi told Iraqi News. Juburi called on both sides to “avoid considering political and partisan interests”. “The Kurdish leaders should act in a way that enhances confidence among the people of Mosul . On the other hand, Ninewa Governor Atheel al-Nejeifi should take into account the social diversity in the province,” he said. Al-Hadbaa, which occupies 19 out of a total 37 seats in the Ninewa local council, has grabbed key administrative posts in the province, which prompted the Fraternal Ninewa List to boycott the council on April 2009. Sixteen administrative predominantly-Kurdish units have boycott the local government in Ninewa in protest of “the marginalization of Kurdish representatives inside the provincial council”. AmR (P)/SR 1