Juan Cole - April 16, 2005 Part 2

Sistani Discourages Shiite MPs from joining Cabinet

Al-Zaman/ AFP: An aide close to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said Friday that Sistani prefers it if the members of parliament from the United Iraqi Alliance decline posts as cabinet ministers. He says that they should instead concentrate on drafting the permanent constitution. The aide gave the interview to al-Zaman but declined to be identified.