You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Iraq-Jordan
Sadr prepared to accept UN troops in Iraq
2004-08-14
Shiite rebel leader Moqtada Sadr is prepared to accept a UN force in Iraq (news - web sites), a spokesman said Saturday, as peace talks between the cleric's militia and the government broke down in the holy city of Najaf. "We prefer the UN to the (US-led) occupation forces, because Iraq is a member of the United Nations," Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani said. "There is a big difference between the blue helmets (of UN troops) and the occupation troops."
"I mean, just look at the Congo!"
Sadr is "ready to meet the UN representative if he requests (a meeting)," the spokesman added. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special envoy to Iraq, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, arrived in Baghdad on Friday and held immediate talks with Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and President Ghazi al-Yawar. The envoy reiterated UN calls for a peaceful settlement to fighting between US-backed Iraqi forces and Sadr's militia in Najaf, a spokesman said, reading a statement.
Posted by:Fred

#11  This is Sadr holding out an olive branch to Allawi, showing where they have common ground.

Is the UN roasted on Saturday Night Live weekly? I'da loved to see Garrett Morris do Kofi.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-08-14 4:51:14 PM  

#10  On your knees Sadr boy. Show the Arab world what kind of donkey man you are. Grovel some more, this time with REAL feeling.
Posted by: ed   2004-08-14 4:41:39 PM  

#9  Ahhh yes, AP, but Arafish has always hoped for UN troops as a protective wall, behind which, to launch attacks
Posted by: Frank G   2004-08-14 4:09:18 PM  

#8  Who gives a rat's ass what Sadr is prepared to "accept"? He's neither representative nor member of the government, and as such, doesn't have any say in what goes on other than voicing his own silly opinion. Sakes.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-08-14 4:02:59 PM  

#7  Tater is negotiating from a position of weakness, which is not the position to be in for making things happen. This showdown at the mosque is Iraq's to lose. I do not think that al Sadr called the Arafish, cause the Arafish is not doing so well in Ramallah.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-08-14 3:59:19 PM  

#6  WTF are U.N troops???
The U.N. is so spooked after their Baghdad HQ was blown up, they won't even provide guards for that!
Posted by: GreatestJeneration   2004-08-14 3:51:10 PM  

#5  Sadr is under the delusion that he actually has any say in what happens in Iraq. He had his chance to be part of the political process but he decided to go for establishing a mullacroacy like his masters in Iran.

I don't think (at least I hope not) Allawi is too willing for those who profited from oil-for-food while Iraqis starved, were murdered, and tortured to take a leading role.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-08-14 3:48:56 PM  

#4  That call to Yasser must've gone through - dusting off the "red notebook of ploys and plans™"
Posted by: Frank G   2004-08-14 3:08:45 PM  

#3  Obviously Tater knows a good deal when he sees one, UN equals Money-for-Saddam. And, let's not forget the non-action on Iranian nukes by the IAEA.
Posted by: Capt America   2004-08-14 3:05:49 PM  

#2  Ummmm. UN troops? What, the Kofi Brigade?
Posted by: Brett_the_Quarkian   2004-08-14 2:27:32 PM  

#1  Jeez, Fat Boy, too bad there aren't any there to take over and bail your ass out. You really shoulda known, because it was in all the papers.
Oh, well. Guess you'll have to die.
Posted by: tu3031   2004-08-14 2:06:52 PM  

00:00