Radical Cleric Isn't Wanted By His Neighbors

[tedzbear]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/24/international/middleeast/24NAJA.html


Is the NYT on to something or is this just our usual oligarchy propaganda?

[Heyo]

1. Can somebody snip?

For those not registered to NYT?

Heyo

[Robbien]

4. Sure. Appears Najaf got surprised by al-Sadr. They liked their quiet town

Standing in the courtyard of the golden-domed Shrine of Ali on Friday, staring at 2,500 worshipers seated on rugs, the imam, Sadr al-Din al-Kubanchi, hurled words as sharp as scimitars at the army that had invaded this holy city.

But the soldiers he denounced were not Americans but members of the ragtag Shiite militia known as the Mahdi Army. Dozens of them, bristling with Kalashnikovs and grenade belts, surrounded the shrine even as Mr. Kubanchi spoke.

They and their young spiritual leader, Moktada al-Sadr, had brought their war with the Americans to Najaf nearly three weeks ago, when they retreated here after a short-lived revolt against the occupation forces. More than 2,500 American soldiers have encircled the city in an attempt to flush out Mr. Sadr — and the residents here are caught in the middle.

"It's not brave to take refuge in the house or the mosque or the markets and use women and children as human shields," Mr. Kubanchi said of the Mahdi Army. "They are people who are trying to cheat you, and they are people from the regime of Saddam Hussein, former intelligence officers. They want to drag you into battle to be destroyed. If that happens, the soldiers will attack Najaf, and our enemies will happily see our blood flow."

[Mistress Quickly]

7. I think its good

that the Iraqis are saying this. I'm ready for them to take over, so we can get our guys out.

And they are standing up to the bullies who are emerging.

Moktada al-Sadr doesn't want good for Iraq, he wants good for Moktada al-Sadr.

[Mikimouse]

8. Hmmm...as cynical as I am, my first thought was...

how high Kubanchi's price was.

[54anickel]

5. Try using bugmenot

www.bugmenot.com

[Robbien]

6. Thanks 54anickel. That will be a handy site

My list of common-use sign ons do not work on every site.

[David Dunham]

2. Would you want to live near a man going to be killed by a US missile?

[Cocoa]

3. so Sadr has enemies/rivals

who doesn't?