Ali al‑Haidari

From the news reports:

"The governor had been getting threats," said Nada Mohammed, a secretary in al-Haidari's office. "He did not pay attention to them or take more precaution. ... He said who's going to protect Iraq if everyone who received a threat quit?" ...

Al-Haidari, a Shiite engineer in his late 40s, was instrumental in setting up Baghdad's government after the American-led invasion of Iraq. He helped form the city's advisory council and had the reputation of being a moderate politician who acted as an intermediary between American officials and the Iraqis he served. ...

During one of his last news conferences, al-Haidari spelled out his plans to improve Baghdad's infrastructure this year, saying insurgent attacks hindered many of his plans in 2004.

"They are affecting the performance of these" efforts, he said. "We are going to use force against those who want to stop these projects."

KR 04 Jan 2005