pls delete dupe

[maddezmom]

~snip~
The absence of Mr Sadr's followers, however, damps hopes that a movement that plunged much of southern Iraq into rebellion over the summer had committed itself to peaceful electoral politics.

Since negotiations behind the list became public two months ago, Sadr loyalists have issued contradictory messages about whether they would participate, but politicians associated with Mr Sistani expressed confidence that the radical movement could be brought on board.

Hussein al-Shahristani, a nuclear scientist involved in compiling the list, said that the Sadr supporters were not included for bureaucratic reasons, but would back the list.

"The Sadr movement is not registered as a political entity, and therefore is not part of the alliance. but they are supporting the Marja'iya in its call for elections and they are asking their followers to vote for this list," Mr Shahristani said.

However, a leading Sadr loyalist politician was quoted by the Arabic-language al-Hayat newspaper on Tuesday that Mr Sadr's followers would "suspend" its participation in the elections, and denied reports of support for Mr Sistani's list.

more:
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/02134e00-4a0e-11d9-b065-00000e2511c8.html

[bemildred]

1. Kiss the Potemkin elections goodbye if they don't get al Sadr. nt