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Iraqi groups to form govt.-in-exile?

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA (BAHRAIN) AUG. 31. A month after their key meeting in Washington, Iraqi opposition groups are likely to meet again in Amsterdam to initiate formation of a government in exile.

The Amsterdam conference in September is expected to test the capacity of the Iraqi opposition parties to share power. Analysts point out that a new dispensation in Iraq will have to take into account the aspirations of such diverse groups as the U.S. backed Iraqi National Congress and two key Kurdish political organisations that have been rivals in the past. Besides the new set up will have to accommodate the views of the Iran backed Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) representing Shias. The Shias constitute more than half of Iraq's population.

The Iraqi royalty, which was ousted in 1958 when nationalists shot King Faisal II and his family, has also thrown the hat into the ring. Sherif Ali, who is the descendent of King Faisal II, is now the claimant to the Iraqi throne.

The U.S. is unlikely to take the Iraqi royalty lightly, a fact evident by the invitation Washington extended to Mr. Ali to attend the Washington conference held earlier this month.

The Afghan experience, analysts point out, is fresh in the U.S. administration's mind and could influence the emergence of a new dispensation in Iraq.

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