Posted on 06/11/2004 11:07:11 AM PDT by SF Republican
Iraq cleric 'calls for new start' Radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has reportedly backed for the first time US moves to gradually hand powers over to an interim Iraqi government. The change of heart came in a sermon at Friday prayers in the town of Kufa, two weeks after the government was formed.
Mr Sadr, a firebrand whose militia has fought US forces since March, called for a new start and an end to conflict, according to witnesses.
But his supporters clashed with members of a pro-US faction in nearby Najaf.
Stones and shoes were thrown in the clash at the shrine of Imam Ali leaving several people injured and forcing the cancellation of Friday prayers.
Mr Sadr called upon the interim government to work to end the occupation according to a timetable set by Iraqi officials, reported a correspondent for Voice of Mujahidin radio present at the sermon. Mr Sadr added that the formation of the government was a good opportunity to bury past differences and "forge ahead toward the building of a unified Iraq".
There has not been any official reaction to Mr Sadr's conciliatory speech in Kufa, where he delivers fiery Friday sermons at the main mosque every week.
The US-led coalition accuses him of killing Abdul Majid al-Khoei, a moderate Shia leader shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Najaf battles
Hopes of bringing an end to the conflict with Mr Sadr's faction were not improved on Friday, when scuffles forced the closure of the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf for the first time during weekly congregational prayers since the US-led invasion in 2003.
On Wednesday night and Thursday Mr Sadr's followers had clashed with Iraqi police in Najaf - less than a week after police began patrols under a truce between the militia and US troops. At least six people were killed in the fighting, including police officers, militants and two civilians. Another 29 people were injured, including children.
On Friday morning hundreds of supporters of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri) marched towards the Imam Ali Shrine to express support for the truce.
Sadr supporters blocked their way, and fistfights broke out and missiles were thrown.
One top Sciri official was reportedly wounded in the head during the confrontation.
The area surrounding the sacred compound is still controlled by Sadr militiamen despite the week-old truce under which they have withdrawn from the rest of the city.
Story from BBC NEWS
Dubyas having a pretty good week.
Apparently Mr. Sdar has decided against martyrdom.
live to fight another day?
Mr. Sadr firebrand cleric who got his ass kicked back to the stone age....has decided it is time to stop pi$$ing in the sandbox and wants to play with the other children.
Basically Sadr is a coward.. He won't have any followers after this.
Mr. Sadr consider yourself the recent member George W. Bush's "I punked you out club". Please proceed to the end of the that long line behind Hussein, Chirac, and Schroeder. Oh and save a space for John Kerry.
He was in an untenable position. Both the US and the upcoming Iraqi governments want his head. His popular support is waning as he shows that he is in it for personal power and would just as soon kill Iraqis as Americans. (And don't forget that his "militia" gets carved up faster then they can say "72 virgins". (BTW, I read yesterday that the Koran had been misinterpreted and that it didn't promise 72 virgins but good dring and plentiful food.)
Seems someone has gotten through to Sadr. Shown him the Big Picture. Maybe got him to laugh at a couple Mullah Nasrudin stories.
I think the correct word is "UNCLE"!
However, I see it as a tactical move and now he's hoping to run in elections and get into the new govt, with Sistani playing the good cop.
However, Allawi, who I think is a godsend, may be tougher with him than anticipated.
The desert is large and parched. Such grapes as they usually get from the garden are small, bitter, and dark. But if they follow the simple rules of conduct they will reach a state where the grapes are large, sweet, and clear. Nothing like a bunch of succulent grapes at the end of a dusty, hot day in the desert.
"Mr. Sadr consider yourself the recent member George W. Bush's "I punked you out club". Please proceed to the end of the that long line behind Hussein, Chirac, and Schroeder. Oh and save a space for John Kerry."
BUMP!
It looks like his patrons in Tehran have decided to cut their losses with this scumbag.
I heard it was 72 raisins that was what is really promised to them.
"Cleric"? Sheesh. It used to be a joke to say "How many divisions does the Pope have?"
I don't think this is going to get us to drop the bounty on his head.
That's a cry of pain if I've ever heard one.
I learned the other day that Sadr's father or grandfather was one of the leaders who revolted against the short British occupation of Iraq in 1920. It appears that sadr and other shiites largely are revolting....or were....because they were afraid the Sunni minority would just take over again like they always have.
An Iraqi judge 'accuses' him.
"Hey, serving an arrest warrant never fed any child. It's time to move onTM USMEDIA 1998 and tend to the nation's business!"
I wonder if he spends personal time with a sink too.
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