http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/international/index.ssf?/base/international-27/1133886851287640.xml&storylist=internationalIraq Shiite leader wants small parties out
The Associated Press
AMARAH, Iraq (AP) — The head of Iraq's largest parliamentary bloc called Tuesday for smaller Shiite parties to keep from diluting the vote for his group by withdrawing, alleging that some were fronts for Saddam Hussein's former Baath Party.
United Iraqi Alliance head Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, whose group holds 140 seats in the 275-member parliament, appeared to be accusing former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite and former Baathist.
Fellow Shiites have charged that Allawi is bringing former Baathists back into the government, police and army. Allawi has said former Baathists who have not committed crimes should be integrated into society.
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Al-Hakim told thousands of people at a sports stadium in Amarah, 180 miles southeast of Baghdad, Tuesday that some Shiite slates already have withdrawn to clear the way for the United Iraqi Alliance.