A senior member of the IGC downplayed fears of a schism between Iraqi Shi'ites. Omayma Abdel-Latif reports A leading member of the Iraqi Interim Governing Council (IGC) dismissed as "exaggerated" press reports of an imminent power struggle between Iraqi Shi'ites. Commenting on battles in Karbala last week between supporters of Muqtada Al-Sadr, the young Shi'ite leader, and the supporters of Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq's highest religious authority, Dr Ibrahim Al-Gaafari told Al-Ahram Weekly that the clash was "isolated". "It was an exceptional incident and does not in any sense reflect an internal power struggle between Shi'ite factions," Al-Gaafari said in a telephone interview from Baghdad on Tuesday. Al-Gaafari's views were echoed by other members of the IGC. Abdel-Aziz Al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), similarly downplayed the clashes as "an unfortunate incident". Al-Gafaari's comments followed several press reports characterising Al-Sadr and his movement as the emerging enemy of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq. Al- Sadr first appeared on the Iraqi political scene in the months after the US- led invasion of Iraq. His fiery statements and sermons opposing the US- led occupation coupled with his ability to mobilise the street have made him a media darling or demon -- depending on who is reporting. His grass-roots base of support is concentrated mainly in Al-Sadr, also known as Al-Thawra, City, a predominantly Shi'ite Baghdad suburb. According to many analysts, Al-Sadr derives his legitimacy from the legacy of his late father Ayatollah Mohamed Sadiq Al-Sadr, a prominent Shi'ite leader who was assassinated in 1999 by Saddam Hussein's regime. The CPA has been nervously tracking the young Al-Sadr's words and deeds, which have stopped far short of advocating violent confrontation of the occupiers. But in a possibly radical development, the London-based Al-Hayat reported on Monday that the Mahdi's Army, a militia formed at Al-Sadr's behest, is preparing for "a show of force" in the streets of Baghdad. In a press conference last week, Al-Sadr challenged the legitimacy of the IGC, declared his intention to form a government chosen by the Iraqi people and called on the CPA to set a timetable for their withdrawal from Iraq. Al- Gaafari, however, is not alarmed by such statements. He stressed that Al- Sadr's views can be accommodated by the newly emergent political realities in Iraq. "The new situation in Iraq allows for the existence of divergent views and opinions. But no political movement can or has the right to negate the other, and no movement can claim to be the sole spokesmen of all Iraqis," Al-Gaafari said. Al-Gaafari described Al-Sadr's following as "a young movement" rooted in the legacy of the late Shi'ite leader Mohamed Baqir Al-Sadr, sometimes termed the "Khomeini of Iraq", who was executed by Saddam's regime in 1980. When asked to assess the clout of Al-Sadr's following, Al-Gaafari vaguely explained it was merely one among many movements that had emerged on the post-war political stage. He lauded the multiplicity of voices representing the Iraqi Shi'ites as a healthy sign. Some observers argue that the tension between Al-Sadr and the IGC reflects the rift between Iraq's returned political exiles and those who weathered Saddam Hussein's rule at home. Al-Sadr's notoriety also reflects what some analysts describe as a "leadership vacuum" in Iraq. Al- Gaafari begs to differ. He believes that the IGC is meant, without exception, to represent all Iraqi factions and that they are undertaking leadership positions on many fronts. Shortly after the fighting broke out in Karbala, IGC members issued a statement condemning the clashes and pledged that they would take measures to preempt such incidents in the future. When asked what specific steps the IGC was likely to take, Al-Gaafari responded that such matters are open to dialogue between any concerned Iraqi groups. "It is the prerogative of the IGC to prove to all Iraqis that we offer a balanced political discourse that can accommodate all political views and facilitate cooperation," Al-Gaafari said. Whether or not Al-Sadr will buy into Al-Gaafari's inclusivist rhetoric remains to be seen. Al-Sadr frequently makes reconciliatory statements, calling for dialogue with leaders of other political forces. Al-Gaafari has not met Al-Sadr, but can yet envision such an encounter. "I would not hesitate to meet him if this would serve the Iraqi cause," Al-Gaafari said. "Understandably, he holds some views which are different to ours -- as members of the Governing Council -- but we have to initiate dialogue with him." He dismissed claims of radical differences over central issues with Al- Sadr. "We agree with most Iraqi movements on the core issues, because these are the demands of all Iraqis. They basically centre around a quick withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq, the achievement of full Iraqi independence and an end to the occupation phase," he said. Speaking about the deadline set by a recent UN resolution -- which gives the IGC until 15 December to submit to the Security Council a timetable and programme for drafting a new constitution and holding constitutionally-mandated elections -- Al-Gaafari stressed that the IGC was prepared to engage in full-spectrum discussions to meet the deadline. He pointed out that a committee formed to gauge national sentiment on drafting the new constitution has made several important recommendations. He added, however, that the IGC has yet to decide how the delegates of a constitutional convention will be selected. According to Al-Gaafari, the council has three options: to hold national elections for a central government, to hold local elections in the various governorates or to call for a national referendum on a number of draft constitutions. Al-Gaafari reported near consensus among IGC members that the first option is the best. "I think there is an inclination to allow all Iraqis the opportunity for the first time in decades to make the political choices they want," he said.
