Baghdad - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has called on the Iraqi government to speed up the reconciliation process, according to press reports Friday. Gates urged the Iraqis to push forward with the ongoing Shiite- Sunni reconciliation process and to pass key legislation to settle disputes over control of the country's vast oil fields and revenue.
Iraqi oil fields are located in the southern and northern parts of Iraq where mostly Shiites and Kurds live. Sunnis have expressed fears that they may be deprived of their rights to oil revenues.
"It's very important that they bend every effort to getting this legislation done as quickly as possible," Gates said.
Gates said passing the legislation would not end the violence that has plagued the country but would show that both sides can work together to address Iraq's challenges.
"It's not that these laws are going to change the situation immediately, but ... the ability to get them done communicates a willingness to work together," Gates said.
Gates, who arrived Thursday in Iraq for a surprise visit, warned that US patience with the Iraqi government is limited and that "the clock is ticking."
The visit is Gates' first to Iraq since the new Fard al-Qanoun (Law Enforcement) security plan was launched by joint Iraqi-US forces on February 14.
US President George W Bush has ordered thousands more American soldiers in Baghdad to quell sectarian violence and terrorist attacks, along with the revised security plan by the Iraqi government.
Bombings have however continued, with more than 200 Iraqis killed since Wednesday in some of the deadliest attacks since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003.
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1 comment:
The danger is lurking, what if the Muslim people finds a new Saladino?
world can´t supports a new religion or ethnic war, invasion either.
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