DEALING WITH THE CLERIC.

SISTANI, Ali al-Husayni, 1930-; BUSH, George W. (George Walker), 1946-

Discusses the efforts of cleric Grand Ayatullah Ali Sistani to demand elections for the transitional Iraqi government. Consideration of how Sistani is respected by the Shi'ite Muslim majority in Iraq; Decision of the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush to reduce the presence of troops in Iraq; Concern from U.S. officials that an early election would give the Shi'ites an unfair advantages over other groups such as the Sunnis; Plight of Sistani to defend the rights of Iraqis and protect the interests of the Shi'ites.