Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Sadr says U.S. must leave

[AussieInCA]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15659421.htm

First and foremost, this means our demands for a pullout from all regions of Iraq and an end to the aggression against the Iraqi people. No and no yet again to direct negotiations with the Americans. Our main conditions remain a halt to the aggression against the Iraqi people in all parts of the country and a ban on their troops entering the holy cities of Najaf and Kerbala."

Sadr said on Wednesday he had dropped conditions for entering negotiations with Washington, but it was unclear whether the conditions he mentioned in the RIA interview, conducted on Thursday, were for entering talks or ending his uprising.


America's top general said talks were under way to avoid a bloodbath in Najaf and bring peace to the besieged Sunni city of Falluja. An Iranian delegation has been in Iraq to help mediate between U.S.-led authorities and Sadr. His vision of a future Iraq was a state "where there must be no distinctions between people -- Shi'ites, Sunnis and Christians. But in any event, the state must be grounded on the principles of Sharia."


American troops did not come all this way merely to free Iraqis from Saddam Hussein," he told RIA. "What they have really come for is linked to a drive to end Iraqis' Islamic values and traditions, oversee the total might of Israel in the region and win control of Iraqi oil." The U.S. administration had therefore "selected in advance Iraqis useful to their policy who will jealously defend their interests in the country".

<snips>

[cliss]

1. Ah, there we have it...

from the Islamic cleric's lips: "American troops did not come all this way merely to free Iraqis from Saddamn Hussein".

We have, at this juncture, spent $160 billion and lost over 600 american lives and untold Iraqi lives.

There must be something we have in mind. Maybe not Democracy?

[davhill]

2. Just a good return on our investment

[saigon68]

3. For the Shareholders

Of various Thug corporations

[hang a left]

4. Well the US should give him exactly what he wants.

And that is to get the hell out of Iraq! I second his motion.

[Karenina]

5. I second that!