Posted on 03/23/2007 9:50:37 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
AMMAN, Jordan - A prominent Iraqi Sunni leader said Friday that the insurgency in Iraq could end if the U.S. showed determination to stop the influence of pro-Iranian Shiite militias there.
"The Americans must act seriously and abolish those militias, confiscate their weapons, arrest their criminals and at the same time stop the Iranian influence which is penetrating all of Iraq, including the government," said Sheik Majeed al-Gaood, a prominent tribal leader in Anbar province, the heartland of the Sunni insurgency.
Al-Gaood is a leading member of a Sunni family that plays a major role in tribal politics in Anbar. He is believed to have close ties with factions of former dictator Saddam Hussein's disbanded Baath Party.
Al-Gaood has previously said a truce with the United States was possible if the Shiite-dominated government of Iraq were "dismissed" and new elections held. He said he was committed to the unity of Iraq and wanted sectarian violence to end.
"We are very keen to stop the bloodshed of our people," he told an Associated Press reporter by telephone from the Jordanian capital, Amman. Al-Gaood suggested that the end of the insurgency was contingent, however, on ending Iranian influence in Iraq.
" Iran is a worse enemy for Iraq than the United States," he said.
Iraq has been crippled by violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims since the U.S.-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein and his Sunni-led government in 2003. Hussein's overthrow led to the election of a Shiite-dominated government and kicked off fighting between the two religious groups that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Iran, which is overwhelmingly Shiite, is widely believed to be supporting several armed Shiite militias in Iraq.
Al-Gaood heads a group called "Wahaj el Iraq," or "Flame of Iraq," a Sunni-dominated Iraqi political faction believed to have close ties to the disbanded Baath Party.
Al-Gaood said that talks with Shiite militias were out of the question and that his group would side with all "Iraqis who reject the occupation and want to preserve the unity of Iraq."
Who the heck trusts that guy?
I'm not so sure this guy doesn't have a point, though I'd be interested to see if his group participated in the election boycott. If so, he has little grounds to complain that the government is too Shiite dominated.
A prominent Iraqi Sunni leader said Friday that the insurgency in Iraq could end if the U.S. showed determination to stop the influence of pro-Iranian Shiite militias there.
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Well,,,DumASS,,,DUH?,,,ETC...;0)
"Al-Gaood has previously said a truce with the United States was possible if the Shiite-dominated government of Iraq were 'dismissed' and new elections held."
The Sunnis had their chance to vote. The "elders" and "leaders" told their flocks to stay home. Too bad for them.
I don't believe him!
The guy sees that all of the Sunni tribes are turning against the terrorists/insurgents/etc. and wants to make sure that people know he's not part of the Islamic State of Iraq, but not so much that they start attacking him. He's seen the writing on the wall.
I speak fluent Persian/Arab Hatred, so please allow me to tranlate:
"Americans, please use your military might to crush my enemies so that once the dust settles, it will be much easier for us to regain Sunni dominance in Iraq. Geez, you did it in the 80's under Ronald Reagan and backed the Sunnis against the Shiites in the Iran-Iraq War. How about a sequel, baby?!"
Stop Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia and the problem is largely resolved.
The appeasing Dems do not want to hear about real solutions to Islamic terrorism - since it runs contrary to their agenda.
Why don't the Sunni's step up to the plate and take charge instead of saying the U.S. should?
I beg to differ in opinion... Take out Saudi Arabia and the other two will cooperate more than somewhat, but that's not going to happen is it.
It seems the only segment who doesn't understand this are our elected officials.
Let's be honest this could have been over in 6 to 9 months if the pc police weren't around!!!
"The essence of war is violence. To use anything less is imbecilic." (Sorry, I have forgotten who said this.)
"Who the heck trusts that guy?"
Who should trust any muslim?
The lie and conspire, kill outsiders, until they revert to fighting each other, tribe against tribe, sect against sect.
Those who argue we shouldn't be losing our soldier stuck between these perpetually violent people do have a valid position. Hence the American position is for the Iraqi's to do MORE, so we can get out.
What is n dispute is simply the timetable.
They want us out; right after we help one side or the other get a leg up on the other faction.
We shoud not trust any muslim, ever, anyplace. They are well known the world over for deceit.
The overwhelming amount of attacks against US troops have been by al-queda (sunni) and iraqi sunni terrorists.
What he means is he wants to go back to the good old days of the Sunnis ruled Iraq under Saddam. And by the way, he'll continue to support the killing of infidels.
The biggest mistake made was thinking that the Sunnis are our enemies.
The Shias are our enemies. The Sunnis are our enemies.
The muslims are our enemies.
The difference is that the Sunnis in Iraq are secular.
We should have been on their side all along.
(After killing Saddam and company.)
Just IMO!
What a load of Shiite!
Probably idealistically reaching here, but how did the initial elections over there turn out?
This, politically, could still work with sovereign statehoods among Shia, Sunni, and Kurd. Perchance to dream.
Sorry Al-Goat. You had your chance. But you decided it would be better to boycott the elections and then start killing people.
Well enjoy reaping the whirlwind you murdering pig.
L
al-Goat is a terrorist who has supported al-Qaeda from day one and still does.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1805848/posts
He's right!
He is a terrorist indeed, and this interview is not complete. The Arabic paper Asharq al-Awsat reported more on what he said here:
http://www.asharqalawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issue=10343&article=411992
Apparently he criticized recent American efforts to gain the support of the Anbar tribes against Al-qaeda calling it 'creating schism'. He also attacked tribal leaders who are siding with the US and Iraqi authorities calling them 'mercenaries working against our people'.
This guy was a close ally of the Saddam regime. I don't understand why the US not pushing the Jordanians to round up people like him. There are so many active Iraqis based in Jordan who are helping the insurgents and no one is taking action against them.
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