Iraq lawmakers agree to lengthen session

Julian E. Barnes and Raheem Salman, Los Angeles Times
Sunday, June 24, 2007
(06-24) 04:00 PDT Baghdad -- Iraq's parliament agreed Saturday to cut its summer holiday in half, and some observers said a deal had been reached on a law to share the country's oil wealth.

Both legislative developments were small signs that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was creeping toward meeting White House demands to show political progress and stem sectarian violence that continues to claim Iraqi and U.S. lives.

Before the vote to extend its session, the parliament was scheduled to recess for July and August. Iraqi lawmakers denied that the decision to continue working through the end of July was due to American pressure and said they were trying to make progress on legislation.

I am fully aware that this situation was brought on by our government (such as it is), but would it really be that awful if these people just put their nose to the grindstone and got this crap done?

Unless they don't want it to be done.