Iraqi Shiite MPs in Iran for talks with Sadr to end clashes

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - Five Iraqi Shiite MPs are in Iran to hold talks with radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in a bid to end the fighting between his militiamen and security forces, an aide to Sadr told AFP on Thursday.

Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi said the lawmakers, led by deputy parliament speaker Sheikh Khalid al-Attiya, travelled to Iran on Wednesday.

"The members of the parliament led by Sheikh Khalid al-Attiya went to Iran to meet Sadr there and other leaders of the Sadr movement who are in Iran to negotiate with him a way out of the crisis," Obeidi said.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080501/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestiranshiitesadr_080501101827

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Iraq Team to Discuss Militias With Iran

Published: May 1, 2008
BAGHDAD — The Iraqi prime minister is sending several senior Shiite leaders to Tehran to discuss their concerns that Iran is arming and financing militias in Iraq, senior Iraqi and American officials said Wednesday.

American officials supported the trip, but portrayed it as the brainchild of Mr. Maliki. One American official described the Iraqis’ concern about Iran’s role as “the silver lining” to recent fighting between Shiite militias and Iraqi and American security forces in Basra and in the Sadr City area of Baghdad, a militia stronghold.

The delegation, which was scheduled to leave Wednesday, was handpicked by Mr. Maliki, who went out of his way in an interview Wednesday to stress his independence. “I have never been the man of Iran, and I told America that I’m not the man of America in Iraq,” he told Al Arabiya, an Arab news channel.

Information about the trip was closely held because of the sensitivities of the relationship between Iraq and Iran. Sadiq al-Rikabi, a senior political adviser to Mr. Maliki, would say only that all issues would be on the table.

more:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?ref=middleeast

[Earth_First]

1. REVOKE THEIR PASSPORTS!

:sarcasm:

[Supersedeas]

2. that's enough of that democracy stuff -- time for some good old fashion US govt by Executive fiat