An Iraqi Shiite Muslim woman holds a poster of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr as she takes part in a march supporting Sadr's Army of Mehdi militia.(AFP/File/Sabah Arar)
Posted on 06/23/2004 7:38:30 AM PDT by TexKat
BAGHDAD (AFP) - The movement of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr announced its refusal to take part in a national conference lined up for July to select an advisory body for Iraq's interim government.
"We reject the invitation," close Sadr aide Sheikh Ahmed Shaibani told AFP.
"We have examined the invitation over the past three days and reached the conclusion that it does not take into account enough the importance of our movement," he said.
On Monday, the chief organiser for the conference said that nobody had yet been officially invited, contradicting an earlier announcement that the firebrand cleric had been asked to attend.
"The preparatory committee is currently studying selection criteria for about 1,000 people who will help at the National Conference so no invitations have been sent out yet," said Fuad Maasum.
Sadr's Mehdi Army militia waged a deadly two-and-half revolt against US-led coalition forces and he is wanted by an Iraqi court in connection with the murder of a moderate cleric last year.
An Iraqi Shiite Muslim woman holds a poster of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr as she takes part in a march supporting Sadr's Army of Mehdi militia.(AFP/File/Sabah Arar)
In other words, he wasn't personally invited. As far as I know, there is still an Iraqi warrent out for his arrest.
How is this guy still alive or not in jail? He is responsible for the death or wounding of many American troops and we play nice. I thought he would either be killed or captured.
Isn't the first rule of tough leadership not making a threat you won't carry out?
His days are numbered.
Too bad a drone couldn't drop a little something on this guy.
Guess the problem of Sadr has been turned over to the Iraqis. God help them.
"F" you, Sadr. One primary purpose of this war is to give people an alternative to smelly little freaks like you.
Why isn't this guy dead yet?
I see the RAT Sadr and the RAT kerry have extreme fingerpointing in common.
Hmmmm.... The poster photograph of Sadr may be somewhat revealing. This Yo-Yo(Sadr) might also be one of those people that sticks his finger in the air to see which way the wind blows before he makes any decisions. Maybe this indicated indication of weakness can be exploited!!!!
Why? in heavens name do we not take this man OUT???
Not to be picky, but a two-and-half revolt? Poor writing.
I also just found this article.
Excerpt:
US House Committee to Examine Iran's Nuclear Ambition
Dan Robinson, VOA, Capitol Hill - 23 Jun 2004 A committee of the House of Representatives holds a hearing later Wednesday on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. The hearing also comes amid renewed concern by some lawmakers about what they call Iranian interference in efforts to stabilize Iraq. The House subcommittee on the Middle East will hear from John Bolton, the State Department's top official for arms control. In previous appearances on Capitol Hill, he has testified about Iranian cooperation, or lack of it, with international efforts to monitor its nuclear program.
Also appearing will be Peter Rodman, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
Along with Iranian nuclear efforts, and proliferation concerns, some members of Congress are concerned about what they call Iranian efforts to stir up trouble in Iraq, as the U.S. coalition provisional authority prepares to hand over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on July 1.
Ping to post# 13.
Good. Allawi should use his carcass as target practice.
Since we didn't have the guts to take him out, this will end up being a demonstration of Allawi determination to not allow clerics to hold veto power.
I think hope Sadr fell into a trap.
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