Coup against Iraqi gov’t exposed

Press TV
Monday, Sept 8, 2008

Iraqi sources have unveiled efforts by top officials from the former Baath party to carry out a bloodless coup against Maliki’s government.

The plan to overthrow the democratically-elected government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been drawn up with Washington’s support, the al-Bayyna al-Jadidah daily revealed Sunday, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, former Baathist officials Younis al-Ahmed and Ezzat al-Douri convened in August with the new heads of the Baath party in Baghdad’s Yarmouk district to discuss the operation. They reportedly agreed on the details of the coup.

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During the meeting, the Baathist officials reportedly decided to penetrate Iraqi ministries with the aim of creating chaos, spreading rumors and preparing the scene for anti-government protests.

The interior, economy and defense ministries are the initial targets of the operation, the sources say, adding that the plan was put into motion two weeks ago.

The Iraqi Baath party was one of the tools by which former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein maintained a tight grip on his country; he himself acted as head of the party.

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