Leading Iraqi MP disagrees with UK minister Mr. Ivan Lewis and vows to put corruption at the heart of his election campaign
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 22:39
Following an article in a Lebanese newspaper written by the UK Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs - Ivan Lewis MP - Ayad Jamal Aldin speaks out against Lewis' misunderstanding of the Iraqi electorate's policy priorities ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Ivan Lewis MP misses the point with the Iraqi people's political dissatisfaction. "Corruption within the government must be the major issue on which the forthcoming election is fought", declares Ahrar Party leader Ayad Jamal Aldin commenting on Ivan Lewis MP, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs article in Lebanese publication, The Daily Star.
"After speaking to a range of politicians and officials in Basra and Erbil I was able to get a feel for the issues over which the election will be fought. Whilst Iraqis value improvements in security, the politicians will be judged on whether the voters think they will deliver better public services, fix roads and transport systems and provide new jobs" Lewis wrote.
"Whilst Ahrar agrees with Mr Lewis's analysis that the Iraqi people want delivery of public services, infrastructure and more jobs, it is imperative that we first tackle the endemic corruption that blights our great nation. It is the corruption that prevents these services from being implemented as the money to fund them is siphoned off by Maliki's government ministers," Mr. Jamal Aldin says.
"We will not stand for this anymore and promise to tackle corruption head on so that all Iraqis can benefit from a fair and transparent administration which will benefit all the people of Iraq."
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About Ayad Jamal Aldin:
Ayad Jamal Aldin is a Shia cleric, best known for his consistent campaigning for a new, secular Iraq. He first rose to prominence at the Nasiriyah conference in March 2003, shortly before the fall of Saddam, where he called for a state free of religion, the turban and other theological symbols. In 2005, he was elected as one of the 25 MPs on the Iraqi National List, but withdrew in 2009 after becoming disenchanted with Iyad Allawi's overtures to Iran. He wants complete independence from Iranian interference in Iraq. He now leads the Ahrar party for the 2010 election to the Council of Representatives, to clean up corruption and create a strong, secure and liberated Iraq for the future.