June 11, 2004

KNOWING YOUR ALLIES:

Iraq cleric 'calls for new start' (BBC, 6/11/04)

Radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has reportedly backed for the first time US moves to gradually hand powers over to an interim Iraqi government.

The change of heart came in a sermon at Friday prayers in the town of Kufa, two weeks after the government was formed.

Mr Sadr, a firebrand whose militia has fought US forces since March, called for a new start and an end to conflict, according to witnesses.


Posted by Orrin Judd at June 11, 2004 1:47 PM
Comments

Of course he wants a do-over. He's losing.

Posted by: H.D. Miller at June 11, 2004 2:00 PM

So what's going to happen when the Iraqis exercise their warrent for his arrest? They issue the warrent, not the US. I think they're going to take him and either shoot him or send him back to Iran where they can shoot him.

Posted by: NKR at June 11, 2004 2:02 PM

I think Muqty just blinked.

Posted by: Ken at June 11, 2004 8:11 PM

Hmm, will he prove as influential as Sistani?

Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 11, 2004 8:26 PM

No. Sistani influenced him, not vice versa.

Posted by: oj at June 11, 2004 8:43 PM

He can't do that! Hasn't he read the script, America must lose. This is a quagmire, after all.

Posted by: Robert Duquette at June 11, 2004 10:32 PM
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