Anti-American cleric al-Sadr warns that Iraq could become 'another Vietnam' for America

AP

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Muqtada al-Sadr, the firebrand anti-U.S. Shiite Muslim cleric, warned the United States on Wednesday that Iraq would become another Vietnam-like conflict if Washington did not transfer power to "honest Iraqis."

The cleric -- whose militia followers have battled coalition and Iraqi security forces across the country for days -- accused members of the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council of being "collaborators" and said "they do not represent the Iraqi people."

"I call upon the American people to stand beside their brethren, the Iraqi people, who are suffering an injustice by your rulers and the occupying army, to help them in the transfer of power to honest Iraqis," al-Sadr said in a statement issued by his office in the southern city of Najaf.

"Otherwise, Iraq will be another Vietnam for America and the occupiers," the statement said.

The United States plans to transfer political sovereignty on June 30 to an Iraqi government, however its makeup is yet to be determined. Members of the Governing Council are expected to have prominent roles in it. National elections are scheduled to be held before Jan. 31.

In a separate statement issued earlier Wednesday, al-Sadr also called on Iraq's neighbor Kuwait to close U.S. military bases there so that the region is freed of "the great Satan."

"I call on our brothers of the Kuwaiti people to put pressure on their government to expel these terrorists bases," it said.

[kattracks]

He got his DNC talking points.

[sarasota]

You read my mind. The DNC must have sent Sadr their playbook.

[TrueBeliever9]

Sadr supports MoveOn.org

[Egon]

Hm. From the mouth of Ted Kennedy to the mouths of terrorists.

It's nice when they make it so easy to identify the bad guys, eh?

[cripplecreek]

This should come in handy.

[shezza]

Seems like I remember hearing somewhere that John Kerry was in Vietnam....

[freedomlover]

I thought this was from al-Kerry

[threat matrix]

Sadr supports John Kerry!

[thoughtomator]

Kerry's making a speech now... what are the chances that he will say the same thing?

[presidio9]

Yet another one of those "foreign leaders" whose names Kerry refuses to divulge?

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[SAMWolf]

He learns quickly from Kennedy and Kerry doesn't he?

[dirtboy]

He got his DNC talking points.

Nah, that's too expensive a long distance call. He's just been watching CNN, the cable news network of choice for terrorists everywhere. I even hear Sadr has a blow-up Christiane Amanpour doll.

[nina0113]

Not once we get rid of YOU, General Giap (oops, I meant Sadr).

[Inyokern]

He is quoting Teddy Al-Kennedy

[ilgipper]

Exhibit A regarding how Fat Ted Kennedy, Kerry and the left wing have politicized foreign policy and war, causing more American deaths, and hurting our efforts during war time. G--Damn this makes me angry. Someone...not the White House....needs to move full force to stop these treasonous actions.

[TrueBeliever9]

transfer of power to honest Iraqis

Sadr is being disingenuous with Americans here. We would rather "transfer power to TRUTHFUL Iraqis! When someone uses the word honest I am always reminded that honest means "from that person's personal perspective"; truth is objective, honest is personal and bias

[EternalVigilance]

Kerry/Sadr 2004

[dalebert]

Proof he is getting orders from Kerry-Kennedy-Clinton.

[mtbopfuyn]

Pull out you play books and add Sadr to the list whom told Kerry they want him to beat Bush. A vote for Kerry is a vote for Sadr.