(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-06 10:45

"The prime minister refuses to split the death sentences issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal," al-Dabbagh said.

"He wants them to be carried out together. He believes that the death sentences issued by the High Tribunal are irreversible and unchangeable and the (tribunal's) do not need the approval of the presidency council, which has no right to change the sentences."

It was not immediately clear what will happen if al-Majid is not executed within the month his sentence is supposed to be carried out, or if the presidential council will revisit the two other cases.

Al-Majid would be the fifth former regime official hanged for alleged atrocities during Saddam's nearly three-decade rule.

Nearly five years after Saddam was toppled in the US-led invasion of Iraq, sectarian and insurgent violence persists.

Related readings:  'Chemical Ali' to be executed by hanging  Iraq council approves "Chemical Ali" hanging  Iraqi PM determined in execution of 'Chemical Ali'  'Chemical Ali' death sentence upheld

But the bloodshed has been greatly reduced since early last year, and more attention is shifting to rebuilding and reconciliation -- even in northern Iraq provinces where al-Qaida in Iraq retains its strongest presence.

On Wednesday, local governors from Iraq's seven northern provinces aired out their complaints to Cabinet ministers in a rare meeting, held at a US military base outside of Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.

Strained connections between Iraq's national government and provinces have long kept the two at odds. Local authorities often gripe that Baghdad's bureaucracy and political procrastination have stalled economic growth.

Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the top US commander in northern Iraq, said the timing of the effort is key: To sustain the security gains in Iraq, jobs must be created.

"I think we have six months to make a difference. This today is the starting point," Hertling said.

He gave a grim prediction if progress is not made. "I'm going to see more soldiers hurt and killed, and we're not going to be able to reduce the number of forces over here ... because there will be more people out there planting bombs and shooting at people."

During the meeting, Raad Rashid al-Tamimi, the governor of Diyala province listed his concerns: finishing a fuel distribution plant in Baqouba, increasing electricity capacity and digging irrigation canals.

"We want to use the land but it's destroyed," al-Tamimi said of his fertile but sectarian and tribal violence-stricken province. "We want Diyala to return to being the country's breadbasket."

Other governors complained that security issues still made it difficult for their banks to get cash from the central banks, food ration cards are not delivered on time and corruption at all levels keeps tankers from delivering fuel.

In response, ministers and other Iraqi officials pledged to try to fix problems. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, the highest-ranking Iraqi official at the meeting, said local authorities will get money and help from Baghdad, but they will be held accountable.

"These budgets must be spent according to procedure," he said.

   1 2   

   1 2