Iraq parliament agrees to cut summer holiday in half

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq24jun24,1,5421420.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=8&cset=true

10 U.S. troops die in Iraq
Parliament to cut recess by half; members deny bowing to pressure by Washington to address sectarian tensions.
By Julian E. Barnes and Raheem Salman, Times Staff Writers
June 24, 2007

BAGHDAD — The deaths of 10 U.S. troops Saturday in Iraq, seven in roadside bomb attacks, brought to 30 the week's toll for American military personnel. The deaths came as Iraq's parliament agreed to cut its summer holiday in half, and some said a deal had been reached on a proposal for sharing the country's oil wealth.

Both legislative developments were small signs that the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki was creeping toward meeting White House demands to show political progress and stem violence that continues to claim Iraqi and U.S. lives.

The parliament had been scheduled to recess for July and August. Iraqi lawmakers denied that their decision to continue working through the end of July was in response to pressure from Washington and said they were trying to make progress on legislation. Some U.S. leaders, including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, recently have visited Baghdad, the capital, to urge lawmakers not to take a summer recess.

The apparent agreement on sharing of oil revenue is the first sign of tangible legislative progress in months, but Iraqis have announced compromises before, only to see legislation stall.

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