Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 21, 2007

Iraqi Shi'ite Leader Calls for Controls on US-Backed Sunni Units
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AA9AAC:A6F02AD83191E1603E362BC3AA404C0A0531BB26A5003E7B& Abdul Aziz
al-Hakim praises role of Sunni patrol groups in contributing to sharp
decline in violence, stresses groups should operate in coordination
with Iraqi government A top Iraqi Shi'ite leader has called for
controls on U.S.-backed local Sunni groups that are fighting
al-Qaida-linked insurgents.







Abdul Aziz al-Hakim

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, who heads the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, the
largest Shi'ite party in the Baghdad government, praised the role of
the Sunni patrol groups in contributing to a sharp decline in
violence. But he stressed that the groups -known as "Awakening
Councils" - should operate in coordination with the government.

In Baghdad Friday, Hakim said the groups should be an arm of the
government in fighting terrorists, but not a substitute for it.

Also Friday, Iraqi officials said new Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd made an unannounced visit to Baghdad for talks with his Iraqi
counterpart, Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Rudd was elected last month on
campaign promises to withdraw about 500 Australian combat troops from
Iraq by mid-2008.

Iraqi officials said Mr. Rudd promised Friday to continue supporting
Baghdad after the withdrawal in its efforts to achieve security .

About 1,000 other Australian troops are involved in non-combat
operations in and around Iraq.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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