The "tragedy of 1919" is what Sistani fears. For the first time, a Shi'a dominated government will rule in Baghdad as a result of the elections. It will come into coalition with the Kurds. Any such government, despite the need for coalition with other parties, will be window dressing for the power behind the throne: the clergy. Sistani is no fool. He knows that with responsibility comes blame. Sistani wants to be the First Man in Iraq, the man on whom others depend for legitimacy. A wink here, a nod there, and a man's career can be made with but the blessing of Sistani and his clients in the Shi'a mosques.
He knows that his colleagues in Qum and Teheran were fools to bid for direct rule over the people by the clergy. The people now hold the clergy in contempt.
But Sistani is still that one man to be admired. And feared.
As long as we solve his problems for him, he is on "our side" (actually, we are on his-we just don't realize it). Sadr was one problem. Fallujah is another.
Fallujah's fate is sealed, you see. It was agreed some time ago that to get Sistani's support, we would do his dirty work for him.
Be Seeing You,
Chris