Turkmen union backs support councils, constitutional amendments

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Union of Diaspora Turkmens (UDT) on Tuesday announced its backing for the establishment of support councils and the introduction of constitutional amendments, which it said serve Turkmen’s interests. “In the name of Turkmen institutions, movements and organizations outside Iraq, the Union of Diaspora Turkmens states its support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s initiative to establish support councils, which boost national unity in Iraq,” according to a statement released by the union and received by IraqiNews.com. Support or Sahwa (Awakening) councils are anti-Qaeda fighters working in coordination with the Multi-National Force (MNF) and the Iraqi government. These councils were set up in a number of Iraqi provinces such as Anbar, Diala, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din with the aim of bolstering political and local tribal powers to fight armed groups, particularly al-Qaeda network, in those areas. These councils are usually led by tribal chiefs or notables in the provinces. SS (P) 1