Article

2008-04-08 Iraq

Religious leaders tell al-Sadr to keep militia intact

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by ed 2008-04-08 10:41|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 We'll have our top men working on it.

Top men.

Be a good time for Sistani to cut him off at the knees, if that worthy was so inclined. Although who knows, maybe top religious leaders in taterland means some obscure students of Sadr's pet ayatollah back in Qom, whasshisname.

Posted by Mitch H.">Mitch H. 2008-04-08 11:19|| http://blogfonte.blogspot.com/]">[http://blogfonte.blogspot.com/] 2008-04-08 11:19|| Front Page Top

#2 That'd be the "Top Iraqi clerics" in Qom, Iran, I take it.

Posted by Chief Running Gag">Chief Running Gag 2008-04-08 12:03|| 2008-04-08 12:03|| Front Page Top

#3 quelle surprise.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-04-08 12:52|| 2008-04-08 12:52|| Front Page Top

#4 Agreed. The Shiites want the leverage but the major players want to apppear 'clean'; if they have to use a wannabe cleric and his Fighters of Dubious Distinction, so be it.

Posted by Pappy 2008-04-08 13:07|| 2008-04-08 13:07|| Front Page Top

#5 It seems to me that Sadr is going to be politically marginalized if the Mahdi "army" does not cease activities and lay down its arms. Perhaps that is the preferred outcome. Keep them fighting for a while...it makes it clear that they are not for a peaceful actor in the new Iraq, it makes them appear as tools of Iran, it makes the local populace hate them even more and it gives our guys and the Iraqi Army a chance to kill even more of them. All a win from my perspective (other than the risk of losing more of our people of course).

Posted by Remoteman 2008-04-08 13:38|| 2008-04-08 13:38|| Front Page Top

#6 I think the National Capital Presbytery was going to make a similar recommendation to our senior pastor. Or, you know, not.

Posted by Sonny Elmeamp2499 2008-04-08 17:15|| 2008-04-08 17:15|| Front Page Top

#7 I've no doubt Pastor Wright will be weighing in momentarily.

Posted by doc 2008-04-08 18:37|| 2008-04-08 18:37|| Front Page Top

#8 Seems Sadr was lying. Contrary info is coming out - that he has NOT checked yet.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-04-08 19:02|| 2008-04-08 19:02|| Front Page Top

#9 MSNBC/CNBC + CNN this AM > news interpreted by Perst as meaning that IRAN WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SUBSTANS POWER PLAYER IN THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ + that IGA must formally consider Iran's viewpoint in any and all national policies. IOW, IRAN "DID NOT LOSE" IN BASRA FIGHTING.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-04-08 19:39|| 2008-04-08 19:39|| Front Page Top

#10 Very clever move by Maliki to make Sadr choose between his militia and participating in elections and the parlimentary process.

Posted by phil_b 2008-04-08 19:50|| 2008-04-08 19:50|| Front Page Top

23:55 RD
23:50 3dc
23:46 Old Patriot
23:41 JosephMendiola
23:38 Old Patriot
23:37 Old Patriot
23:31 Tiny Snoque2251
23:26 Old Patriot
23:22 Old Patriot
23:21 Old Patriot
23:17 JosephMendiola
23:08 JosephMendiola
23:06 JosephMendiola
23:05 OldSpook
23:00 OldSpook
22:51 DarthVader
22:43 Barbara Skolaut
22:41 Barbara Skolaut
22:36 gorb
22:34 DarthVader
22:33 JosephMendiola
22:09 Thor Ulusotle1014
21:48 JosephMendiola
21:39 JosephMendiola