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Iraq-Jordan
Sadr Renews Iraq Resistance Call, Al-Mahdi Readys Weapons
2004-07-06
Moqtada Sadr says he will continue to oppose the occupation of Iraq by foreign forces and insists the new government lacks legitimacy as reports in from Najaf says the alhamhdi army is reading their weapons. Sadr said there would be no truce with those who co-operated with the U.S.-led forces in Iraq, contradicting earlier conciliatory-sounding statements. Hours later, the interim government postponed again the unveiling of a new security law to tackle the insurgency. The declaration came in a statement distributed by Sadr's office in the Shia holy city of Najaf, where his Mahdi army battled U.S. troops until a cease-fire in June. "We pledge to the Iraqi people and the world to continue resisting oppression and occupation to our last drop of blood," the statement said.
Ok by me.
"Resistance is a legitimate right and not a crime to be punished."
Resist away, it worked so well last time. How many gunnies did you lose, we lost count.
On Monday, the interim government of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi postponed for a second time its unveiling of a new security regime that it wants to impose to curb the insurgency that continues to destabilize the country. Officials cancelled a news conference scheduled on Monday to announce the law. No new time was set, reports said. The government had planned the announcement for Saturday, but that event was also cancelled. Allawi's interim government was formally handed sovereign powers by the US-led occupation on 28 June.
Guess he doesn't want that amnesty. It's almost like we knew he wouldn't stop.
Posted by:Steve

#16  Possibilities from LH

1. Sadr is just a nut Nope. He's stupid and believes what he sees on Al Jiz.
2. Hes getting conflicting messages from Teheran Probably. The blackhat acid throwers are not exactly rocket scientists, either.
3. He wants to fight, but doesnt want to look like hes on the side of (increasingly unpopular) Zarqawi I don't think the boy has the balls to fight anyone. The fat wuss, michael moore look-alike hid out the whole fight this Spring. He's a puppet, and the blackhats are blowing smoke up his kimono til someone pops HIM with an AK.
4. He doesnt want to fight, but wants to establish firm ownership of the anti-US wing of Iraqi politics, and can't look too cuddly with the US and Allawi. Agreed.
Posted by: anymouse   2004-07-06 4:59:45 PM  

#15  lets just do this right this time and wipe these fuckers out for once and for all
Posted by: smokeysinse   2004-07-06 4:55:07 PM  

#14  LH this is the East one does not preclude the other.

You may choose 3.
1. Sadr is just a nut
2. Hes getting conflicting messages from Teheran
3. He wants to fight, but doesnt want to look like hes on the side of (increasingly unpopular) Zarqawi
4. He doesnt want to fight, but wants to establish firm ownership of the anti-US wing of Iraqi politics, and can't look too cuddly with the US and Allawi.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-07-06 3:55:11 PM  

#13  Sadr's continuing theft of oxygen is a crime against humanity. This walking posterboy for retroactive contraception needs to take the dirt nap stat!
Posted by: Zenster   2004-07-06 2:03:06 PM  

#12  Moqtada Sadr says he will continue to oppose the occupation of Iraq by foreign forces and insists the new government lacks legitimacy as reports in from Najaf says the alhamhdi army is reading their weapons.

Kill him NOW. No ifs, ands, or buts. The games have gotta stop sooner or later.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-07-06 12:58:38 PM  

#11  See if Barbara Walters can get an interview. I want to see his human side. He could be a dedicated father and end up as road pizza before we come to appreciate his sensitivity. [Have Barbara's stylist weld a spidey tracer somewhere in her coagulation of space-age polymers hair]
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-07-06 12:24:12 PM  

#10  Sistani has shown he's not ready for prime time, I hope Allawi can maneuver him/awaken him to doing as Alaska Paul suggested: come down hard and establish a pecking-order that's respected. It's contrary to Sistani's view of leadership and role of the clergy to do it in the way it needs to be done, it seems. Allawi needs to be the activist Shi'ite if Sistani continues his quietist act. Could be wrong, but I think there's political gold to be mined in the form of anti-rabbelrouser, anti-Pasdaran sentiment in the streets of Najaf, Nasariyah, and Basrah.

Sadr's cache came from being the punk who vexed the foreigners; don't think there's much mileage in vexing the hawza and the Shi'ite interim PM -- hope we find out.
Posted by: Verlaine   2004-07-06 11:38:45 AM  

#9  Possibilities

1. Sadr is just a nut
2. Hes getting conflicting messages from Teheran
3. He wants to fight, but doesnt want to look like hes on the side of (increasingly unpopular) Zarqawi
4. He doesnt want to fight, but wants to establish firm ownership of the anti-US wing of Iraqi politics, and can't look too cuddly with the US and Allawi.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-07-06 11:32:38 AM  

#8  Suppose this has anything to do with Iran's recent surge of tough talk and action? Sadr is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Iranian theocracy and does what his paymasters direct. Maybe this time it will get him killed.
Posted by: RWV   2004-07-06 11:25:07 AM  

#7  Ya gotta admit, Tater's a trip. He provides the comic relief in Iraq. I dunno if the problem is that every Iranian who comes over to give him his new orders is getting bagged, or if he's just dyslexic. Regardless, this guy is priceless. Baghdad Bob's replacement...
Posted by: .com   2004-07-06 11:06:18 AM  

#6  Is this newer than the we're-not-using-actual-guns story?
Posted by: Anonymous5566   2004-07-06 11:01:02 AM  

#5  Allawi is getting his OJT right now. Negotiations in good faith will not happen with the likes of al-Sadr. People like Sistani cannot expect al-Sadr to go away as a wish, either. The games will have to stop. So if the Iraqis want to play games, then they will have a tribal s**thole like much of the ME. If they want to build a nation for the common good, they will have to be tough in the beginning, especially with millions being financed by Iran to tip the balance. I hope that Allawi has the stones to come down hard, or he is toast.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-07-06 10:54:45 AM  

#4  burial in the world's biggest cemetary!
Posted by: Frank G   2004-07-06 10:46:04 AM  

#3  Death benefits, perhaps?
Posted by: .com   2004-07-06 10:36:31 AM  

#2  It must be tough to be a minion of an Iman that is bi-polar. I hope that membership in the Madhi Army comes with a health plan and other benefits.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-07-06 10:35:13 AM  

#1  Again, why is he still alive?
Posted by: tu3031   2004-07-06 10:05:03 AM  

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