NYT: Iraqis Consider Ways to Reduce Power of Cleric

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Dec. 12 — After discussions with the Bush administration, several of Iraq’s major political parties are in talks to form a coalition whose aim is to break the powerful influence of the radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr within the government, senior Iraqi officials say.

The talks are taking place among the two main Kurdish groups, the most influential Sunni Arab party and an Iranian-backed Shiite party that has long sought to lead the government. They have invited Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to join them. But Mr. Maliki, a conservative Shiite who has close ties to Mr. Sadr, has held back for fear that the parties might be seeking to oust him, a Shiite legislator close to Mr. Maliki said.

Officials involved in the talks say their aim is not to undermine Mr. Maliki, but to isolate Mr. Sadr as well as firebrand Sunni Arab politicians inside the government. Mr. Sadr controls a militia with an estimated 60,000 fighters that has rebelled twice against the American military and is accused of widening the sectarian war with reprisal killings of Sunni Arabs.

The increasingly anarchic violence was highlighted Tuesday by a suicide car bomb that killed at least 56 people and wounded more than 220 in central Baghdad’s Tayaran Square, an area crowded in the morning with laborers seeking work.

more:http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/world/middleeast/13iraqcnd.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[acmavm]

1. This gang of whizbangs think they're up to playing with the

heavyweights in Iraq? Look at their record. They've failed at everything they've tried. There was NEVER going to be a theocracy in Iraq, oh no siree. Would not be tolerated. The country would never break up into factions. Uh uh. This whole conquer and occupy thing would be a 'cakewalk'.

Now they want to play cut throat politics with people who have thousands of years of experience at the game. Palace intrigue was born in Babylon.

What a gang of douche bags.

[maddezmom]

2. and I think the use of Iraqis wanting this is very misleading

I'm sure no one at the WH gave them the idea. :eyes:

[maddezmom]

3. wonder if this has anything to do with this: Saudi Amb abubtly leaves and quits post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2649199