Text Only
Search

 
Iraqi Parliament Fails to Pass 2008 Budget, Adopts New Flag

22 January 2008

A dispute between Iraqi lawmakers has stalled what was expected to be easy passage of Iraq's 2008 budget.

The $48-billion budget deal fell apart late Monday after a dispute between Shi'ite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish lawmakers over how some of the money would be spent.

Lawmakers disagreed over the plan to allot 17 percent of the budget to the oil-rich and largely autonomous northern region of Kurdistan.

Iraq's parliament did vote Tuesday to adopt a temporary, new flag - no longer displaying what has been described as Saddam Hussein's handwritten phrase, "Allahu Akbar."  Instead, the words will be printed.

The new flag will also omit the distinctive three stars.  However, it will keep its red, white and black stripes.

Iraqis argued the old flag was a reminder of Saddam's brutal rule.

There was more violence in Iraq Tuesday.

In Diyala province, Iraqi security forces found the bodies of at least six family members who had been shot execution-style.

In Baquba, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a school entrance, killing one person and wounding 21 others, most of them students and teachers.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
UN Envoy: Iraq Reconciliation Key to Sustaining Security Gains
Blast in Northern Iraq Kills 15 at Funeral Service
 
  Top Story
Obama Requests Changes to Afghan Options

  More Stories
Pakistan Seeks Role in US-Afghan Policy
At Least 10 Soldiers Killed in Pakistan Clashes
Obama Honors US Military Veterans  Video clip available
French, German Leaders Commemorate Armistice Day  Audio Clip Available
Obama's Middle East Strategy Stalls
Body of Missing US Soldier Found in Afghanistan
Yemen, US Sign Military Cooperation Deal
Pirates Seize Cargo Ship in Indian Ocean
Clinton: Naval Clash Won't Stop Outreach to North Korea  Audio Clip Available
Japan to Tell Obama It Wants Okinawa Marine Base Closed  Audio Clip Available
APEC Foreign Ministers Discourage Protectionism  Audio Clip Available
Zimbabwe Land Seizures Reportedly Intensify  Audio Clip Available