Baghdad, Iraq – The Iraqi parliament remained deadlocked Sunday over who should lead the country’s critical security ministries, but lawmakers agreed that each of the 275 members needs two new cars.
Responding to the danger all Iraqi politicians face – many have been threatened or attacked – some members suggested that everyone receive a $100,000 grant to purchase two armored cars, said lawmakers who attended the closed-door meeting. But that notion was quickly shot down by others who pointed out that handing out cash might anger constituents.
After much debate, the lawmakers decided to have the government purchase cars and give them to the parliament members. Exactly what make and model, and whether or not one or both cars will be armored, is up to the parliament speaker and his two deputies. But it is clear the project will be an expensive undertaking, especially if the cars are armored.
The U.S. company Black Armor, whose website asks, “Are you important? Do people wearing ski masks have a propensity to discharge firearms in your general direction?” bills $142,000 for a handsome, bulletproof Mercedes S500. Less-expensive models include the Chevy Suburban ($110,000), the Lincoln Town Car ($100,000) and the Jeep Grand Cherokee ($95,000).
Even if bulk purchasing could get the cost down to $50,000 per car, the measure would cost the state $27.5 million.
Parliament has still not resolved who will lead the country’s interior and defense ministries, which control the police and army.
The prime minister, Nouri al- Maliki, filled most of the rest of his Cabinet posts at a parliament meeting May 20. At the time, he said the remaining ministry positions would be filled within a week.
“The whole thing is on the table now,” said Adnan Ali al-Kadhimi, a Shiite politician in al- Maliki’s party.
Meanwhile, at least seven Iraqis died in violence around the country.
