Peace talks between Sunnis and Iraqi Shi'ites begin in Finland
{{date|August 31, 2007}}

Peace talks took place today in [[Finland]] between two rival [[Iraq]]i factions, the [[w:Sunni|Sunni]]s and the [[w:Iraqi Shi'ites|Iraqi Shi'ites]]. 

The seminar was organized by the [[w:Crisis Management Initiative|Crisis Management Initiative]] (CMI), a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by former [[w:President of Finland|President of Finland]] [[w:Martti Ahtisaari|Martti Ahtisaari]]. The CMI is focusing on trying to replicate the way peace deals were forged in [[South Africa]] and [[Northern Ireland]], who both also have representatives at the meetings.

Although the CMI have refused to name exactly who is present at the meetings, or reveal the venue, Finnish broadcaster [[w:YLE|YLE]] reports that those present include [[w:Muqtada al-Sadr|Muqtada al-Sadr]], [[w:Adnan al-Dulaimi|Adnan al-Dulaimi]], the leader of the largest Sunni Arabian political party in Iraq and Humam Hammoudi, Shiite chairman of the Iraqi Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

The talks, which are held in conjunction with the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies of the University of Massachusetts Boston, are expected to last two days. Finland itself will play no role. Ahtisaari himself could not be present because he was attending another peace meeting in [[w:Copanhagen|Copanhagen]], [[Denmark]].

{{haveyoursay}}

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Iraqi peace talks to begin in Finland within days|date=August 30, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Sunni and Iraqi Shi'ite negotiators to meet in Finland|date=August 22, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hgRr17jxdotOBlSCcJSt4ByVD7fA
|title=Finland Hosts Iraq Peace Seminar 
|author=Matti Huuhtanen with contributions from Jan M. Olsen
|pub=Associated Press 
|date=August 31, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Europe/Feuding_Iraqis_meet_for_secret_peace_seminar_in_Finland/articleshow/2327985.cms
|title=Feuding Iraqis meet for secret peace seminar in Finland
|author=
|pub=Times of India
|date=August 31, 2007}}

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[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:Iraq]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]

[[Category:Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie)]]
[[Category:Sunni Islam]]
[[Category:Shia Islam]]

[[es:Comienzan las charlas de paz entre sunitas y chiíes en Finlandia]]
Peace talks took place today in Finland between two rival Iraqi factions, the Sunnis and the Iraqi Shi'ites. 

The seminar was organized by the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded by former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. The CMI is focusing on trying to replicate the way peace deals were forged in South Africa and Northern Ireland, who both also have representatives at the meetings.

Although the CMI have refused to name exactly who is present at the meetings, or reveal the venue, Finnish broadcaster YLE reports that those present include Muqtada al-Sadr, Adnan al-Dulaimi, the leader of the largest Sunni Arabian political party in Iraq and Humam Hammoudi, Shiite chairman of the Iraqi Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

The talks, which are held in conjunction with the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies of the University of Massachusetts Boston, are expected to last two days. Finland itself will play no role. Ahtisaari himself could not be present because he was attending another peace meeting in Copanhagen, Denmark.
Finland Iraq Politics and conflicts Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie) Sunni Islam Shia Islam