Hadbaa firm on its stance, unwilling to negotiate- Ninewa List

NINEWA / IraqiNews.com: A spokesperson for the Ninewa Fraternal List on Sunday blamed the lack of progress in talks with the Hadbaa List on its unwillingness to negotiate. “In recent statements, Ninewa Governor Athil al-Nujaifi (from the Hadbaa List) revealed that his list is holding fast to its agenda, adding that those who want to cooperate must believe in this agenda…,” Darman Khatari told IraqiNews.com news agency. Members of the Ninewa Fraternal List boycotted provincial council meetings, citing al-Hadbaa’s obtaining of all key positions in the province. On April 12, al-Hadbaa List distributed all key positions in Ninewa’s provincial council among its representatives, who secured 25 votes. The final results of the Ninewa provincial council elections, held on January 31, 2009, saw al-Hadbaa list winning 19 seats, followed by the Ninewa Fraternal list with 12 seats and the Sunni Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) of Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi three seats as well as one seat for each of the Christians, the Shabaks and Yazidis. SS (P)/SR 1