Iran says worked to moderate Iraqi Sadr's stance

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L23597977.htm

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Iran worked to moderate the stance of an Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose Mehdi Army militia launched two uprisings against U.S.-led forces this year, Iran's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

The United States has accused Iran of destabilising Iraq through support for Sadr.

"We have tried to help him (Sadr) adopt more moderate approaches and to cooperate with Ayatollah Sistani," Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi told reporters in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is Iraq's most revered Shi'ite leader. Shi'ites make up the majority of Iraq's population and were long oppressed by Saddam Hussein, a Sunni.

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[Moloch]

1. Sadr will probably be elected president of Iraq

barring any interference from Diebold...

[Tempest]

3. Just like the Ukraine

Iraq will not tolerate ANY election shenanagans.


I guess they believe in free elections more than Americans.

[Inland]

2. Whether Iran used influence or not, fact is it has more influence that US

on important segments of Iraq. Not only religious. Iraqis know that there will always be a powerful, helpful or hurtful Iran nearby. The US may go, but Iran won't.

[aneerkoinos]

4. Of course they did

Iran and Sistani have played US into corner, only way for them to loose is to challenge US head on, what Sadr was doing. Or was it good cop bad cop act from Sistani and Sadr? ;) With Shia religious parties' coalition (indluding all of them, also Sadrists) guaranteed absolute majority, all they need to do is extend their hand when the ripe fruit falls from the tree.

And I have suspicion Allawi, just like Chalabi was, is another mole of Iran... at least his actions benefit only Iran's and Shia Clergy's interests in the region.

[PurityOfEssence]

5. Cool! Suck up to the Bushies and you too shall be destroyed

Go ahead, play nice.

Thanks for trying to help. Please help some more. If at all possible, please weaken yourself in the process; when it suits us, we'll eliminate you.