US considers Iraqi elections: Washington Post

The Bush administration is considering whether to abandon or change its plan to set up an independent Iraqi government through regional caucuses, The Washington Post reported in its Sunday edition.
Citing anonymous sources, the Post said the US government could set up partial elections or leave an expanded version of the appointed Iraqi Governing Council in place when it hands over power by June 30.
US officials told United Nations representatives last week that everything is on the table except the June 30 deadline, the Post said.
Publicly the US has stuck by its plan to appoint an independent Iraqi government though regional caucuses, followed by elections in 2005.
There have been huge protests across Iraq, spearheaded by the majority Shia community, rejecting the plan and demanding the Iraqis themselves choose who will govern them.