Posted on 08/14/2004 6:55:42 AM PDT by RobFromGa
NAJAF, Iraq (CNN) -- Efforts to broker a peace agreement with rebel forces loyal to Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the embattled city of Najaf have failed, an Iraqi government official said Saturday.
A statement issued by Mouwaffaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, suggested that fighting soon would resume in the south-central city.
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
"I am demanding that the people of Iraq in all provinces to call for the immediate resignation of the Iraqi government because it is an imperialistic American government," he said. "We are demanding the occupier to leave our country."
He said, "The crisis of the holy city of Najaf opens the door to unity and solidarity for the sake of a free and independent Iraq far from occupation."
Al-Sadr led the crowd in chants of "No, no to occupation," "No, no to America," and "No, no to Israel."
Also Friday, an official from al-Sadr's office in Baghdad listed several conditions to bring about peace, including:
Did anyone sincerely believe that Sadr was going to cooperate? He was just looking for some face time in the media to get his message out while regrouping. How many times will Iraq fall for this?
Well lets send them to meet the virgins.
From what I have been reading, the Iraqi forces will d the work with us backing them up. Only Iraqi forces will be allowed in the shrine.
They should have never disengaged. Every time Sadr needs time to regroup, he calls for a truce, and is obliged.
I wish they'd turn him into a sand donut.
peace will come when Sadar arrives in Ft. Marcy park
5.56mm
Najaf Gov. Adnan al-Zurufi said the Iraqis are welcome to visit the shrine but no one will be allowed to bring a weapon.
I'm sorry but none of these people should be allowed anywhere near the shrine. They will either be a hindrance to our troops if unarmed, or will actively join the fighting. There is no reason to "visit" the shrine while it is being used as a military fort by Sadr's men.
Well....the Najaf governor apparently disagrees with you and the Iraqis call the shots....right?
I'm stunned by this totally unforeseen turn of events. (/sarcasm)
Bring us the head of Al-Sadr!
What makes you think that Sadr was able to "regroup"?
Does anybody sincerely believe besides you, that Iraq sincerely believed, that Sadr was going to cooperate?
Why is he allowed an office in Baghdad
Yes, it's a bad move. It gives Sadr a chance to surround himself with more people who will be caught in the line of fire.
Time to end this third rate wannabe mullah's miserable existance.
The definition of "failure" or "success" often depends on your point of view. Sounds like a "success" to me. Let's ask Kerry what he thinks of Bush's handling of Najaf.
anarchy
\An"arch*y\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. anarchie. See Anarch.] 1. Absence of government; the state of society where there is no law or supreme power; a state of lawlessness; political confusion.
Why is it when everything is going so well, when we are on the move toward rapping this up by forcing Al-Sadr to negotiate, it always falls apart?
/Major sarcasm
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