QUESTION: What about Moqtada al-Sadr’s militia not being entered in what is the presumed announcement of outlawing independent militia is going to do with that?

MR. ERELI: It is clear that Moqtada al-Sadr, in a number of ways, is operating outside the law. There are, I think, there have been discussions between Moqtada al-Sadr and (inaudible) or Shiite notables in Iraq, in effort to remove his militia from government offices, have them lay down their arms and have those elements of the -- of Sadr’s militia who have been accused and indicted of crimes answer for their crimes.

That is a process that is ongoing, that has, I think, produced some important and welcome developments. But, obviously, there is a legal regime that applies to these militias, that outlaws these militias, that proscribes their activities and I think it is fair to say that we and the Iraqi government would expect these militias to adhere to the law.

Yes, Said.

QUESTION: Adam, would you concur that, at least for the time being until the transfer occurs, there is no intention by American forces to move militarily against the Sadr militia, perhaps, waiting for the interim government to do so?

MR. ERELI: I’m not going to speak to military operations. We’ve made it clear that we are going to respect Islamic holy sites. I think that’s in sharp contrast to the actions of the outlaw groups who continue to use mosques and other holy sites as ammunition storage places, firing on troops from those areas. We are going to continue to respect those sites and to work with our Iraqi friends and local authorities to bring about a peaceful application of justice.

Yes, Nadia.

QUESTION: Can you just remind us of the US position regarding, Moqtada al-Sadr, himself? Do we still want to arrest him or kill him?

And, secondly, the date for that was reset for this dismantling of the militias was set as 2005. What do you think of the date? Is this too late for incorporating 100,000 people into the Iraqi army?

MR. ERELI: Our position on Moqtada al-Sadr hasn’t changed. And it is our view that Moqtada al-Sadr -- and is a subject of Iraqi law and should be -- should -- that law should be applied to him as well as to any other Iraqi citizen who has been accused of violating the law. As far as the date for integration of the militias, this is something that has been worked out between and among the Iraqis themselves. It is an agreement that we endorse that we think argues well for the future of Iraq and that’s my comment.

QUESTION: Sir, I just want to clarify is what do you mean by "is a subject of Iraqi law?" What does -- does that mean that the U.S. military does not have -- if they arrest him -- or can they arrest him or kill him, or does that mean that the Iraqi only can arrest him and detain him?

MR. ERELI: Iraqi -- the Iraqi judge has issued a warrant for Moqtada al-Sadr’s arrest. Moqtada al-Sadr is, like any other Iraqi citizen, is expected to be held accountable to Iraqi law and Iraqi institutions. And we will support the application of Iraqi justice.

Yes, Joel.

QUESTION: It appears that this particular cleric, al-Sadr, is trying to gain political influence. Do you expect that the new interim government and governments beyond would completely exclude him for any political type function in the country?

MR. ERELI: I can’t speak for decisions that Iraqis may or may not make when they are sovereign. I think that it’s been clearly demonstrated by the actions and words and decisions of Iraq’s notables that Moqtada al-Sadr is a renegade.