Go home Yanks, says PM in waiting

[floda]

THE Shi’ite Muslim cleric tipped to become prime minister after next Sunday’s election in Iraq has said it will be the duty of the new government to demand the withdrawal of American forces “as soon as possible”.
“No people in the world accepts occupation and nor do we accept the continuation of American troops in Iraq,” said Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq.



“We regard these forces to have committed many mistakes in the handling of various issues, the first and foremost being that of security, which in turn has contributed to the massacres, crimes and calamities that have taken place in Iraq against the Iraqis.”

In comments certain to raise eyebrows in the United States, al-Hakim spoke of a role for Iran and Syria — both regarded in Washington as enemies in the war on terror — along with Iraq’s other neighbours, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Kuwait, in the security of the country.

more...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1452397,00.html

[daleo]

1. I can't see this fellow winning

I think the election has already been held in Washington. This fellow must know he didn't win, so he has the freedom to object to the occupation. The real winner would know not do so.

On edit - fixed a strange spelling mistake.

[98geoduck]

3. They just haven't experienced Bush's voting tactics...Diebold will choose.

[struggle4progress]

18. Yeah, that'll end the violence, won't it?

[tx_dem41]

8. Oh...this fellow will win.

And, it's *'s worst nightmare. Iraq will be the newest, Shiite controlled nation.

[daleo]

11. We will know soon, anyhow.

There is a sort of train wreck fascination to the whole thing.

[Kimber Scott]

2. I wonder if he'll live through the election. (nt)

[toymachines]

4. how many candidates have been killed so far?

[Sandpiper]

5. He'll be having an "accident" any day now

n/t

[FXDS]

6. The fix is in.

This guy will win Bush style!

I hope I am wrong but, if this guy wins and suggest everything is under control and the troops should start to leave Iraq, this will be a dream come true for the shrub. Bush looks like he accomplished something and gets to send the troops to Iran.

Hope I'm wrong about Iran, but I think that is the plan.

[WCGreen]

7. How can he claim it as a victory when he orders us

to leave without building the bases he needs to invade Iran or Syria?

He left Saudi Arabia in order to quell the "Al-Qauda inspired uprising." Turkey will never let them use their air space or land bases ever again.....

So how does this look like a plan of the Bush Admin?

It's just another example of imperial hubris gone wild......

He may be able to claim victory in the short term here in the US of A but long term, when Iraq tumbles into civil war, which we know will happen since the Saudi's, Syria and Turkey all fear a stronger Iraq, which will happen when if we loose Iraq as a base of attack.....

Oh yea, it was such a great idea to invade Iraq.....

[genieroze]

12. I was thinking the same thing. eom

[cliss]

9. The only amazing thing about this article is the sentence,

"...comments certain to raise eyebrows in the United States".

Why would ANYONE raise their eyebrows over a statement like that. "No people in the world accepts occupation".

This is what shocks me more than anything else. How would the Americans react to being occupied? Haven't we already gone down that road? Remember King George....a few years back....and a certain Declaration....

We if anybody should understand the notion of occupation.

[JDPriestly]

10. Maybe Bush sees himself as just a latter day

British monarch. After all, he does have a tiny bit of British blue blood in him -- which his biographers do not let us forget.

[geomon666]

13. Hahaha

"In comments certain to raise eyebrows in the United States"

Don't they get it by now. This is never going to get any play in the US. We're the only ones who are ever going to know what this man said.

[Strelnikov_]

14. The Election Is When The Shi’ite Hits The Fan

So to speak.

Sistani and the Shi'ite leaders have been playing along, knowing that time is on their side. They are letting the Americans and the Sunni's kill each other off, and will pick up the pieces and take over once the Americans have had enough and withdraw.

Wonder how the freepers are gonna like it when Our Leader, their God Emperor, leaves behind an Islamic Theocracy as the 'democracy' in Iraq.

[54anickel]

15. ..

kick

[NYC Liberal]

16. I cannot WAIT for Bush's speech explaining

why Iraq has turned into a theocracy. Now THAT should be good!

[VALibby]

17. that will be good...

It was "hard work" to become a democracy

[Oversea Visitor]

19. Wonder what the people there think

They got bombed to stone age. No jobs no food no power or water. Ok they got an election. So after that what.Yes Mr Bush you are commited to bring freedom and liberty to the people in Iraq. Oh yes we all be watching what you mean by it.

If you fail Mr Bush who do you think the 22 million Iraquies going to blame. Where are you going to get the money to rebuild Iraq? What a freaking mess.