Posted on 08/22/2007 9:56:13 AM PDT by tcrlaf
Baghdad, 22 August (AKI) - The leader of Iraq's banned Baath party, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, has decided to join efforts by the Iraqi authorities to fight al-Qaeda, one of the party's former top officials, Abu Wisam al-Jashaami, told pan-Arab daily Al Hayat.
"AlDouri has decided to sever ties with al-Qaeda and sign up to the programme of the national resistance, which includes routing Islamist terrorists and opening up dialogue with the Baghdad government and foreign forces," al-Jashaami said.
Al-Douri has decided to deal directly with US forces in Iraq, according to al-Jashaami. He figures in the 55-card deck of "most wanted" officials from the former Iraqi regime issued by the US government.
In return, for cooperating in the fight against al-Qaeda, al-Douri has asked for guarantees over his men's safety and for an end to Iraqi army attacks on his militias.
Recent weeks have seen a first step in this direction, when Baathist fighters cooperated with Iraqi government forces in hunting down al-Qaeda operatives in the volatile Diyala province and in several districts of the capital, Baghadad.
Although the Baath party was officially banned after US-led forces in 2003 toppled the regime of Iraq's late president Saddam Hussein, its members have fought in the insurgency.
Until just a few months ago, former Baath party members were helping Islamists carry out terrorist attacks against US forces in Iraq.
Ba’athists have been more pragmatic secular than most over there. Their association with Alqaida was possible only because Alqaida is also secular if not pragmatic.
“Until just a few months ago” What they mean is “until the surge a few months ago”
The Surge is Working and the Rats are in the Trap
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
IMHO the Baathists from Syria are probably negotiating with the Iranians on partitioning Iraq. Since the RATS are going to try and go in this direction, it makes sense.
If only this was true, and the election was this November, there wouldn't be a democrat left standing.
There’s weeping at the DNC over this news.
Thanks E.
At Iraq’s front line, U.S. puts ex-foes on payroll
Washington Post via Reuters | August 22, 2007 | Peter Graff
Posted on 08/22/2007 1:09:52 PM EDT by jedward
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884885/posts
LOL! Nailed it! Democrats are morons and on the wrong side of history, it seems.
That would be the pragmatic answer.
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