Iraq Accused of Breaking Peace Agreement (w/ al Sadr)

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A top aide to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr accused the Iraqi government Tuesday of violating terms of the August peace that ended fighting in Najaf and of conspiring with other Shiite parties to suppress the firebrand's movement.


Ali Smeisim, al-Sadr's top political adviser, made no explicit threats as he leveled his allegations during a press conference in Baghdad.


But his remarks raised the possibility of a new confrontation between the government and al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which rose up against the Americans and their Iraqi allies in April and August.


"We negotiated with the Iraqi government and reached peaceful solutions and are carrying out our obligations," Smeisim told reporters. "The Iraqi government should do its part."

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=5&u=/ap/20041124/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_shiites

Thought I read somewhere al Sadr hooked up w/ Chalabi to form some sort of coalition...perhaps another ruse?

[wtmusic]

1. Why another 'ruse'?

Every instance I can see of al-Sadr committing a 'ruse' was attributable to the coalition not fulfilling terms of their agreement.

[maddezmom]

2. anyone that hooks up w/ Chalabi has me suspicious

:shrug:

[wtmusic]

6. Definitely

I'd like to see that source if you come across it again

[maddezmom]

7. here's the NYT article: it's archived

CONFLICT IN IRAQ: POLITICS; BICKERING IRAQIS STRIVE TO BUILD VOTING COALITION
By EDWARD WONG (NYT) 1831 words
Published: November 7, 2004

~snip~

The two main religious Shiite parties in the interim Iraqi government have already banded together. But they face a formidable challenge to their prominence from an unlikely and possibly anti-American alliance that is looming between Ahmad Chalabi, the former exile and Pentagon favorite, and Moktada al-Sadr, the firebrand cleric who ignited two deadly uprisings against the Americans and the interim government.

After falling out with the Americans last spring, Mr. Chalabi has recast himself as a pious Shiite and is pursuing a coalition with Mr. Sadr, who has a zealous following. An anti-American platform would have widespread support.
~snip~

Seen as a carpetbagger by many Iraqis, Mr. Chalabi is trying to draw the popular Mr. Sadr into a coalition to strengthen his credibility. Senior officials in the groups of the two men have discussed how they would divide assembly seats if they were to run together. An organizer of the Shiite Council, Ali Faisal al-Lami, recently traveled to Mosul with Ali Smesim, Mr. Sadr's top aide, to speak to Sunni tribal leaders about their possibly joining a predominantly Shiite coalition led by Mr. Sadr or Mr. Chalabi or both.

''It's not about competition of parties and division of spoils,'' Mr. Chalabi said of the Shiite talks. ''There are no spoils to divide, only disaster to share at this time.''


http://query.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F40C13F639580C748CDDA80994DC404482

I'd be happy to PM or email you the article....I just purchased it and have access for 90 days.


This is the one I found on google that refers to the NYT
~snip~
As Iraq's first democratic elections approach, established Shiite parties and powerful upstarts are feuding, prompting the leading Shiite cleric to try to pull them together to make sure that they clearly dominate the new government. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is determined to work out a power balance to keep rivalries from weakening the Shiites' position.

The two main religious Shiite parties in the interim Iraqi Government have already banded together. But they face a challenge to their prominence from an unlikely and possibly anti-American alliance that is looming between Ahmed Chalabi, the former Pentagon favourite, and firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

After falling out with the Americans, Mr Chalabi has recast himself as a pious Shiite and is pursuing a coalition with Sheikh Sadr.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Iraq/Iraq-police-massacre-as-assault-looms/2004/11/07/1099781244424.html?oneclick=true

[wtmusic]

8. Everything I've read that's actually quoted al-Sadr

shows him to be forthright and honest. The administration has (somewhat successfully) painted him as a radical "firebrand" who breaks agreements (he's apparently radical because he doesn't glowingly accept the invasion of his country).

He is, technically, an enemy of the US. The US has made him that. We would be much better off if we truly welcomed him into the fold and resumed talks with him on the future of Iraq. It won't happen, and many, many more GIs will die as a result.

In this case it looks like Chalabi is pursuing al-Sadr, and the 'alliance' is based on hypothesis.

[maddezmom]

9. you make a great point...Chalabi is an opportunist

.

[VegasWolf]

3. Yet another royal fuck up from the awol admin.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. What's next, are they going to pass out blankets with smallpox?

[bemildred]

5. Chalabi is an opportunist.

Al Sadr is a genuine popular leader and thus a threat to anybody that
is not. I doubt that Chalabi has any control over al Sadr. Chalabi
"formed a loose coalition" of Shiite religious parties, having decided
that he (Chalabi) is now a devout Shiite.

It is no surprise that attempts are being made to suppress and marginalize
al Sadr and his party, he is a genuine threat to coalition plans.

It has become clear in the last couple weeks, since the "Fallujah
offensive", that al Sistani has decided to collaborate with the
coalition in holding the elections, which he hopes to "win" for the
Shia. In pursuit of this, he has aquiesced in the repression now being
directed at the Sunni. The interesting questions are: will al Sadr
figure out who his true friends and enemies are, and if he does, what
will he do about it?