Top Iraq cleric may issue anti-US edict, aide says

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15592723.htm

KUWAIT, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Iraq's most revered Shi'ite cleric could issue an edict that would ban Iraqis backing a U.S.-appointed council and spark mass protests if Washington does not hold direct elections, a close aide said on Thursday.

Earlier, thousands of Iraqis shouting "No to America", marched through the country's second largest city Basra to back calls by the cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for direct polls.

"The imam insists on his opinion that general and comprehensive elections should be conducted in all regions of Iraq so that the Iraqi people will have the final say," Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer al-Mohri, a Kuwait-based aide to Sistani, told Reuters.

"He (Sistani) also says we don't accept letting people from outside rule, and by that the imam means the coalition forces."

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[Mikimouse]

1. Let the good times roll!

What a mess. I wonder if Colin Powell is ready to blow a fuse yet. If Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani decress it, what we have seen so far will seem like an afternoon in the park.

[Sliverofhope]

2. From the Suskind book

Colin Powell is proven to have a brain and some rudimentary features of a conscience. Will he ever have a spine? This is the question. Does he want to go down in the history books as an absolute failure?

[pinto]

10. my thoughts also, I watched Powell work to reign in the war machine early

then he seemed to do the good soldier thing and apparently folded..for some reason I don't think it's over by a long shot yet.

[ewagner]

3. uuummmm...

this could get interinsting

the Grand Ayatollah al Sistani's edict vs His Majesty George II's edict.........
s

[Sliverofhope]

4. And don't forget

the sharia rumblings and the idea that the Kurds might do civil disobedience. Interesting is to put it mildly.

[reprobate]

5. If that happens woe to our troops.

Lets see Captain Couragous talk his way out of this one. If a ban is issued that means the shi'ites will ALL be against our troops. It would not be surprising to see casualties go up by a factor of ten.

[The Magistrate]

6. Matters Are Approaching The Crunch, My Friend

Ayatollah al'Sistani hold the keys to peace or war in the greatest part of the country. His words will be obeyed, and death be welcomed as a consequence of doing so, should that be the result....

[Karenina]

8. DA BIST DU!!!!

Lieber Mann, Du bist immer noch hier!!!
Yes, matters are approaching the crunch. Who is "volunteering" to be meshed in the teeth of the MIC and WHY??? Can we stop this??? Whaddya thimk?

[amber dog democrat]

7. Let the fatwas begin!!

god knows we deserve them.

[aeon flux]

9. wrong topic