Cranky has a strategy

BULLY BOY PRESS &     CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL AID TABLE

CRANKY CLINTON CAN'T STOP LYING AND MAY HAVE OUTDONE HERSELF ON MEET THE PRESS TODAY.

REACHED FOR COMMENT, CRANKY DID NOT DENY HER LIES AND EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO INSIST THAT IT WAS A WINNING STRATEGY.

"AFTER ALL," SHE CACKLED, "LYING GOT RICHARD NIXON ELECTED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE.  IT WILL WORK FOR ME TOO!"

FROM THE TCI WIRE:


Yesterday, the White House issued the following statement:

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

April 01, 2016

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq

The Vice President spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to discuss the latest political and security developments in Iraq. The Vice President welcomed the Prime Minister's political reform efforts and reaffirmed continued U.S. support for steps, in concert with Iraqi political leaders, to strengthen transparency, national unity, and accountability.  The Vice President also underscored the critical importance of sustaining  momentum in the fight against ISIL and reviewed ongoing U.S. efforts to support Iraqi Security Forces.  The Vice President commended the Prime Minister for engaging constructively with the IMF to address fiscal challenges and unlock access to international financial assistance.

On political developments?

Elections.

We tried to make a point repeatedly this week.  Some caught it, some didn't.

You either oppose the notion that a new Cabinet can just be created or you pretend that Iraq didn't hold elections in 2014.


Haider's just going to form a new Cabinet.

That only happens after an election.

Iraq did have elections in 2014.



From the May 19, 2014 snapshot:





Reuters reports, "Preliminary results on Monday showed Maliki won at least 94 seats, far more than his two main Shi'ite rivals, the movement of Muqtada Sadr, which picked up 28 seats, and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), which won 29 seats."  Press TV reports, "Results released by Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission on Monday showed that the premier’s State of Law alliance garnered 92 out of 328 parliamentary seats. Maliki’s bloc won 30 seats in the capital Baghdad alone and won the first spot in 10 out of 18 provinces overall, while his main rivals are said to have gained between 19 and 29 seats in total." Sinan Salaheddin and Sameer N. Yacoub (AP) reports 92 as well and point out, "He will still need to approach other parties to piece together a broader majority coalition to get the first crack at forming a government as violence rages and instability grows."  Duraid Adnan and Tim Arango (New York Times) point out that these are "initial results -- still subject to challenges from various political parties" while stating Nouri won 93 seats.



But if elections took place, how can a Haider al-Abadi in 2016 propose a new Cabinet?

He can't.

Not per the Constitution of Iraq.

One member of the Cabinet can be ousted this way:


Eighth:
A. The Council of Representatives may withdraw confidence from one of the Ministers by an absolute majority and he is considered resigned from the date of the decision of confidence withdrawal. The issue of no confidence in the Minister may be tabled only on that Minister's wish or on a signed request of fifty members after an inquiry discussion directed at him. The Council of Representatives shall not issue its decision regarding the request except after at least seven days of its submission. 


The entire Cabinet can be ousted this way:


D. In case of a vote of withdrawal of confidence in the Cabinet as a whole, the Prime Minister and the Ministers continue in their positions to run everyday business for a period not to exceed thirty days until a new cabinet is formed in accordance with the provisions of article 73 of this constitution. 


But since when does the US government, the White House, really support rule of law in Iraq?


Never.

The only way a new Cabinet can be proposed is following elections.

Otherwise?

Otherwise, the Cabinet has to be shut down by Parliament via a vote withdrawing confidence.


Where is the faith in rule of law?

The US State Dept loves to give lip service to the rule of law in Iraq when it benefits their goals, otherwise they stay silent.

The United Nations and the White House could've called for new elections in Iraq if they wanted a new Cabinet.

But,per the Constitution, short of that the only way a new Cabinet comes about is via a vote of no-confidence in the Parliament.

The rule of law is followed or it's not.

AL MADA notes that the proposed Cabinet was greeted earlier this week by a statement from KRG president Massoud Barzani who declared Haider's proposal had no importance and that it was long ago cleared there was no true partnership in the current government.

What's really amazing is how little objections to Haider's proposed Cabinet is covered by the international press.


There was an election in Iraq today.  Ammar al-Hakim was re-elected as the leader of the (Shi'ite) political body the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq.  And ISCI issued a statement that any political reforms (the Cabinet) should not weaken the law or increase political differences.


ALL IRAQ NEWS notes Ammar issued a statement as well when he noted reform did not equal proposing a new Cabinet.

Ammar held a press conference today where he expressed surprise by Haider al-Abadi's proposal to reform the Cabinet.  This as NATIONAL IRAQI NEWS AGENCY reports that there is strong division in Parliament over Haider's proposed Cabinet with some likening Haider's proposals to the start of a "dictatorship."

Meanwhile AL MADA notes that the Kurds continue to demand 20% of the positions on any new Cabinet while Haider's nominees are facing criticism from Sunni political blocs.

But it's the Shi'ite criticism that's emerging and the most vocal.  IRAQ TIMES notes State of Law MP Kazem al-Sayadi has declared that, no way, no how, will any former member of the Ba'ath Party sit in the Cabinet.

In addition, ALSUMARIA reports that the Coalition of National Forces are also voicing objection to Haider's proposal with MP Khaled Mafraji declaring that what Haider has done is both incorrect and illegal.


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