DELAY IN U.S. TROOP PULLOUT FROM IRAQ POSSIBLE--IRAQ SUSPENDS PLANS FOR JANUARY ELECTION: NEW YORK TIMES

Iraq continues to show signs of instability as plans for the January election have been suspended.

The delay in the elections could mean the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq will have to be postponed.

November 19, 2009
Veto of Iraq’s Election Law Could Force Delay in Vote
By ROD NORDLAND
THE NEW YORK TIMES

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/19/world/middleeast/19iraq.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

BAGHDAD — Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said Wednesday that he had vetoed Iraq’s new election law, throwing preparations for the January voting into disarray.

Any postponement of the Jan. 18 election could affect the schedule for withdrawal of American troops, although the American commanding general said he was “flexible” in the event of a delay.

Both of Iraq’s vice presidents, one a Sunni, the other a Shiite, as well as the president, who is a Kurd, can veto legislation.

Shortly after the vice president’s announcement, Iraq’s Independent High Election Commission suspended preparations for the vote, according to Hamdiya Husseini, the head of the commission.

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