Iraq's al-Maliki presses reconciliation (Saddamite Officers Now Accepted)

Yahoo and AP ^ | 16 December 2006 | By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer

[shrinkermd]

Iraq's army has "opened its doors" to all former members of Saddam Hussein's army, the prime minister said Saturday at a national reconciliation conference boycotted by one of his main Shiite allies, a major Sunni group and Iraq's exiled opposition.

Despite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's effort to reach out to Iraq's Sunni Arabs and some former members of Saddam's outlawed Baath Party, the gathering was overshadowed by rising sectarian tensions and political divisions.

The radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, one of al-Maliki's key political backers — refused to attend the meeting, as did a major Sunni group and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite.

The U.S. military raided the Shiite slum of Sadr City — a stronghold for the Mahdi Army militia that is blamed for some of the worst violence against Iraq's Sunnis — and detained six suspects. The raid and airstrike left one fighter dead and another wounded.

"We firmly believe that national reconciliation is the only guaranteed path toward security, stability and prosperity. The alternative, God forbid, is death and destruction and the loss of Iraq," said al-Maliki, whose time in office have been defined by a surge in sectarian violence and failure to end an insurgency, improve services or reduce high crime and unemployment rates.

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L. Paul Bremer, Iraq's former U.S. governor, dissolved Iraq's 400,000-strong army soon after American forces overthrew Saddam's regime in April 2003. The decision is widely seen as a mistake because it drove many into opposition.

"The new Iraqi army has opened its doors for members of the former army, officers and soldiers, and the national unity government is prepared to absorb those who have the desire to serve the nation," al-Maliki said.

Yes, Bremer made a mistake as did most. This seems to be a step in the right direction. Failing to be inclusive will bring the Saudis into the conflict.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

"L. Paul Bremer, Iraq's former U.S. governor, dissolved Iraq's 400,000-strong army soon after American forces overthrew Saddam's regime in April 2003."

Well, Bremer provided the lip-service, but the fact is that OUR Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force actually "dissolved" saddams so-called army and republican guard.

[PISANO]

Hindsight is always 20-20. I for ONE am NOT convinced this is a panacea. However it may be worth a try, but WITHOUT the, meaningless statements that we did this wrong or we did that wrong.

War ALWAYS has wrong decisions and failures. Improvise, adapt and overcome is the key, not FINGER POINTING!!

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Yes, Bremer made a mistake as did most. This seems to be a step in the right direction. Failing to be inclusive will bring the Saudis into the conflict.

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How stupid is this statement? Stupid.

[sure_fine]

lets face it, he has lost it

[shrinkermd]

"...When Adam delved and Eve span Who was then the gentleman? When Adam delved and Eve span, Spur if thou wilt speed, Where was then the pride of man that now mars his meed?

Regards.

[bnelson44]

The radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, one of al-Maliki's key political backers — refused to attend the meeting, as did a major Sunni group and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite.

What does this mean?

[shrinkermd]

I don't know. But I have been told the Shiites rebelled in the 1920s and the British put them down and placed the Sunnis in charge. They remained in charge until we came along. What happened between them before that I don't recall but I imagine the bloodshed and antipathy go back and back.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Bible says right to defend self, wives, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, and property against bad guys.

Jesus said to disciples lay “aside” your sword; at last supper not lay down your sword. Peter’s sword was to protect Jesus, but his own moral life.

Exodus 22:2-3 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.

Nowhere in the bible does God make any provision for dealing with the instruments of crime. He always focuses on the consequences for the individual and his actions.

Num 31:3 Every man gird on his sword, So every man girded on his sword and David also girded on his sword. 1 Sam. 25:13

Romans 13:4 God says if you do evil be afraid. Also: As you live by the sword so shall you die by the sword.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II Evangelism Vitae Encyclical Letter on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life March 25, 1995 46-page statement supports self defense and right to guns

Baptist Minister Michael McCubbins clears the air on the bible view of the old/new testament. Bible says you are responsible for your self-defense.

Matthew 5, Individuals have the responsibility of protecting their lives and family from attackers.

PS 46:1 Jesus who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.

Neh. 4:17-18 Gates and walls of Jerusalem were built with one hand on his weapon, and one hand worked.

Matthew 26:52-54 Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

St Gabriel Possenti society says priest would be alive today if he had handgun. Priests in Houston want guns to protect parish.

Jesus, Luke 22:36 30 He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. The sword was considered the finest weapon of its day.

Gen. 9: 5-6. When Cain killed Abe, God did not ban or register rocks, but banished the murderer. God was smarter than our gun-grabbing politicians.

Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever of God.

National defense in bible. 2 Chronicles 17 1:10, and the fear of the Lord fell on all kingdoms around Judah, so that they did not make war.

God says in the sixth commandment “Thou shall not murder.”