Sadr prepared to accept UN troops in Iraq

Yahoo News ^ | AFP

[kattracks]

NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - Shiite rebel leader Moqtada Sadr is prepared to accept a UN force in Iraq (news - web sites), a spokesman said Saturday, as peace talks between the cleric's militia and the government broke down in the holy city of Najaf.

"We prefer the UN to the (US-led) occupation forces, because Iraq is a member of the United Nations (news - web sites)," Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani said.

"There is a big difference between the blue helmets (of UN troops) and the occupation troops."

Sadr is "ready to meet the UN representative if he requests (a meeting)," the spokesman added.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (news - web sites)'s special envoy to Iraq, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, arrived in Baghdad on Friday and held immediate talks with Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and President Ghazi al-Yawar.

The envoy reiterated UN calls for a peaceful settlement to fighting between US-backed Iraqi forces and Sadr's militia in Najaf, a spokesman said, reading a statement.

Asked whether the United Nations was working to broker a peaceful solution to the Najaf fighting, the spokesman said only that the world body was ready to extend its good offices where they were welcome.

[cripplecreek]

Sadr recognizes an easy mark.

[hflynn]

Sure he is. Blue Helmets are easier to aim at.

[EllaMinnow]

So who died and made him Saddam?

[The Wizard]

it ain't up to you ashole, you had yopure chance and you missed it.....

Now it's either surrender or body bag...you choose.

[stockpirate]

Problem is he doesn't the power to give the okay, he is a no body in the government.

If they let them in it will just drag this out for him and he knows that.

[BenLurkin]

Whatta Maroon!

[Jeff Head]

He'll take the evil UN over the U.S. Marines or Rangers any day.

He's running scared. Now's the time to finish him off.

[sgtbono2002]

Here we have a wanted Iraqui criminal telling us what he will accept.? Kill this guy and lets move on.

[demlosers]

It's not going to work Tubby

[mtbopfuyn]

So who died and made him Saddam?

They're both dead but they haven't realized it yet.

[frithguild]

"There is a big difference between the blue helmets (of UN troops) and the occupation troops."

Damn straight there is!

Seems that al Sadr is one of those foreign leaders hoping Kerry will win. Think he watches CNN or MSNBC?

[RedEyeJack]

Who asked him?

Why does he get a vote?

Why is he still alive?

[JudyinCanada]

The world body was ready to extend its GOOD OFFICES where they are welcome. What on earth does that mean? What are "good offices"? Who talks like that? I think I know. Bring in the blue helmets of peace and we'll turn our backs for another thirty years while the terrorists take over Iraq again and kill whoever looks at them the wrong way. It will all be worth it to undermine America, our chief purpose for existing. But don't worry, we'll cry out for peace and condemn the killing for the entire thirty years, just to make us sound noble. These guys from the UN should be on the list of "people who make the world a dangerous place", along with terrorists. I hope nobody falls for this.

[P-Marlowe]

Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani said. "There is a big difference between the blue helmets (of UN troops) and the occupation troops."

They make easier targets and they're not covered in Kelvar. And the idiots wearing them don't shoot back.

[Dawgreg]

Amen!

[theFIRMbss]

>Whatta Maroon!

Hey, we've been fighting
this one guy for how long now?!
We've turned him into

a rebel hero.
Yeah, there's foolishness here, but
it's not this lone nut . . .

[Tacis]

Annan is fishing for bribes again!!!

UN troops huh? I guess that would mean French, maybe, Iranian and, what the heck, more French troops. And, of course, the bribes to Kofi and the French are a much more important issue to the UN than Sudan.

[traumer]

OMG !
WTF !! Please can someone post the "Oh no, not this s... again " !?

[traumer]

paging Bhutros Bhutros Gali... wait I may be wrong