His long dishdasha robe flowing, his kuffiyeh folded perfectly around his bearded face, al-Athawi rises from his chair, points a long, manicured finger in the general direction of American Army Capt. Andrew Betson, Iraqi police Gen. Baha al-Azzawi and council secretary Faras al-Qabi, and says in a clear, loud voice, "Why are you accusing me of being a member of al-Qaida?"
Suddenly, everyone is up on their feet, shouting.
"Please!" al-Azzawi bellows, rolling his eyes. "Let us put these differences behind us. It's over. Let's forgive. It's forgotten. Get over it."
"We never said any such thing about you," yells al-Qabi. "Why do you accuse us of accusing you?"
"Al-Qaida!" al-Athawi roars. "I am told that you spread rumors that I am al-Qaida!"
"Enough, enough!" shout fellow council members, grabbing each other's hands.
"Stop! Please!" implores al-Azzawi.
"No one is accusing you of anything!" screams al-Qabi.
Betson remains in his seat, watching the meeting of a council created to foster reconciliation in the war-torn neighborhood descend into a 10-minute shouting match.
Then everyone gets up and goes to a burger joint to lunch together.
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