05/02/2012 20:36
GARMIYAN, Feb. 5 (AKnews) - A spokesman for Diyala Tribes Congress has said that all tribes in the province are against regional autonomy, while an Iraqiya List deputy has said the view is unrepresentative of the province's population.
Diyala city, diala citySpokesman for the congress Saad Chalub said over 300 Shiite and Sunni Arab tribes as well as some Kurdish tribes met yesterday to forward an official demand to Diyala Provincial Council to scrap regional autonomy.
"We reiterate that it's not feasible to ignore people… Diyala chieftains are against the demand [for regional autonomy]," said Chalub.
Iraqiya Representative Suhad Hayali confirmed that the council members had heard about the latest development with the congress.
"But with all due respect, they don't represent Diyala tribes," she said.
She added that Iraqiya raised the request for regional autonomy after consulting the citizens of Diyala.
"We believe it's a shame for the chieftains to stand against what is a public demand," she said.
Shortly after Diyala Council declared regional autonomy on December 12, Shiites staged public protests. Council officials were attacked and the Iraqiya representatives who dominate Diyala Council fled to Kurdistan and other cities in the province. Council sessions had to be relocated to Khanaqin in Diyala, but have since been restored to Baquba.
Kurdish members of Diyala Provincial Council withdrew their signatures of support for Diyala regional status on December 20 claiming Iraqiya had renegaded on agreements forged before the province made its move towards autonomy from Baghdad.
Allegedly Iraqiya, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, promised to work towards annexing the disputed areas into Kurdistan Region in exchange for Kuridsh support for autonomy.
Soon after the announcement of autonomy an Iraqiya member disapproved of such an agreement and called on the Kurds to withdraw their signatures if they wished.
Out of the 29 representatives to Diyala Council, 18 are from the Iraqiya alliance.
By Bryar Mohammed
AKnews
