Posted on 10/11/2004 7:11:03 PM PDT by blam
Amnesty defied as militants hang on to their arms
By Jack Fairweather in Baghdad
(Filed: 12/10/2004)
Militants loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr failed to hand over substantial quantities of heavy weapons on the first day of a disarmament plan yesterday, bringing threats from the US military to launch more raids against the Shia cleric.
Yesterday was meant to see Sadr's forces surrender their big guns in return for money from the Iraqi government. The amnesty was part of a deal to end months of clashes between militiamen and US forces in Sadr City, a huge Shia slum in Baghdad.
An Iraqi National Guardsman with some of the confiscated weapons
But only a trickle of arms was handed in at collection points at the start of a five-day amnesty. Iraqi police at the al-Jazar station collected only small numbers of rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine-guns and mortars. Major Saad Farhan, in charge of the station, said. "We believe we'll get more weapons in tomorrow, but a lot of people want to keep their guns."
US commanders in the area said they intended to conduct raids by the end of the week if large numbers of weapons were not surrendered.
"There has been no ceasefire agreement. If we hear that someone has weapons we will still go in and take them," said Lt Col Gary Volesky, the battalion commander in Sadr City.
In recent weeks US forces have pummelled the area with air strikes and ground offensives to put pressure on the cleric to disband his militia. In return for the weapons the Iraqi government has offered to release jailed militants and give £280 million in reconstruction aid.
Confusion over how much money would be paid for weapons may have contributed to yesterday's failure.
Militiamen from Sadr's Mahdi army were reported to be asking for £280 for an RPG and £165 for an AK-47 - rates much higher than are available in illegal weapons markets. Those who did turn in RPGs yesterday are said to have received as little as £28.
Some Iraqi officials said they had received no money from the government to pay militiamen, and the prices had yet to be negotiated.
A Mahdi army leader said militiamen did not intend to sell 122mm mortars, heavy machine-guns or hand grenades. Another reason for the lack of support for the process is Sadr, who has baffled US and Iraqi officials with contradictory statements.
Senior aides to Sadr said yesterday they had received no order from the cleric to hand over weapons - apparently countermanding a deal reached between local leaders in Sadr City and the Iraqi government.
Sheikh Abdul Hadi al-Dhuraji, the head of Sadr's forces in Baghdad, said: "Moqtada al-Sadr said anyone can keep his special weapons. He has not given an order to deliver them.
"It's up to people to give the weapons in."
Some militia leaders in Sadr City are afraid that if they hand in their weapons they will be unable to defend themselves against US raids.
Mohammed al-Musawi, the head of a Mahdi army battalion, said: "We've still kept our weapons for the future. If the US army tries to attack Sadr City we'll be ready."
But for ordinary residents of Sadr City, many of whom live without electricity, running water or adequate sewerage, there is relief at the temporary truce.
Halaf Sha-alam, 42, who has three sons in the Mahdi army, said: "This is a very poor neighbourhood. We need help, not killing."
Humankind has had 5 millennia of warfare in which peace was won only by killing the opposition. The United States has had 228 years of warfare in which peace was won only by killing our enemies.
So why...WHY...are we pulling this idiotic routine of backing off every time we have the Islamists on the ropes?
This guy has been getting away with the same thing every time.How many times are we going to fall this crap? Enough is enough and if there isn't a real hand over of arms besides old broken down weapons.... it's time for no mercy.
"Some militia leaders in Sadr City are afraid that if they hand in their weapons they will be unable to defend themselves against US raids."
See, here's the thing. Those weapons ain't gunna defend you anyway. So give them up, look like good guys, make the deal, and walk away semi-winners. Cause the only real alternative is dead.
This is your face saving opportunity. Take it.
Frankly Halaf, you bastids actually do need killing.
WHY IS SADR STILL ALIVE??? Are we playing political footsie again??
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