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Iraqi Leaders Call for Pullout Timetable
 With the Hizbollah attack in Israel, Ahmadinejad and the Iranian nuke program, and now this, the Islamists seem to be on the offensive. Brought to you by the Left's surrender lobby.CAIRO, Egypt - Reaching out to the Sunni Arab community, Iraqi leaders called for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and said Iraq's opposition had a "legitimate right" of resistance. The communique â finalized by Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders Monday â condemned terrorism but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if their operations do not target innocent civilians or institutions designed to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens. The preparatory reconciliation conference, held under the auspices of the Arab League, was attended by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish lawmakers as well as leading Sunni politicians. The Jihadi platform follows: In Egypt, the final communique's attempt to define terrorism omitted any reference to attacks against U.S. or Iraqi forces. Delegates from across the political and religious spectrum said the omission was intentional. They spoke anonymously, saying they feared retribution. Translation: The Kurd and Shia politicians have knuckled under to the Sunnis. "Though resistance is a legitimate right for all people, terrorism does not represent resistance. Therefore, we condemn terrorism and acts of violence, killing and kidnapping targeting Iraqi citizens and humanitarian, civil, government institutions, national resources and houses of worships," the document said. The final communique also stressed participants' commitment to Iraq's unity and called for the release of all "innocent detainees" who have not been convicted by courts. It asked that allegations of torture against prisoners be investigated and those responsible be held accountable. The statement also demanded "an immediate end to arbitrary raids and arrests without a documented judicial order." You gotta admit, it was a brilliant move on the Arab League's part to have the conference in Cairo, beyond the coalition's immediate control and where they could help their Arab Sunni brothers and use a little Arab-style persuasion on the Kurd and Shiites. The demands and threats could be made without any coalition observers to intervene. This is the sort of thing that the State Dept. is supposedly paid to anticipate and prevent. I hope that heads are rolling. Damn this is going to be a long war. Posted by: 11A5S 2005-11-22 |
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