Bremer Visits Holy Shi'ite City, Avoids Clergy

[NNN0LHI]

Ain't this kind of like going to Rome and avoiding the Pope?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030709/pl_nm/iraq_bremer_dc&cid=615&ncid=1480

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. civil administrator Paul Bremer preached the need for a unified Iraq (news - web sites) on Wednesday while offering no hint of special rights for the Shi'ite Muslim majority that dominates southern Iraq.

Bremer's visit to the holy city of Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, pointedly avoided contact with the Shi'ite clergy that includes the powerful Ayatollah Ali Sistani, leader of the Hawza theological institution.

The Americans have moved cautiously around the Shi'ite issue while hoping Iraq will emerge with a secular state and government free of influence from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"A representative government does not mean a government divided by any particular designation," Bremer said in response to a question about how the coalition would assign Shi'ite and Sunni leaders to a forthcoming Iraqi governing council.

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[pfitz59]

1. Cowards and dictators........

Bushco to a "T"! Abusing OUR STRENGTH to feather their offshore accounts!

[Dudley_DUright]

2. Holy Shi'ite Batman!

OK, could not resist. :-)

[revcarol]

3. Sounds like he's imitating his adored leader: only appear

where you are worshipped.

P. S. "Bremer, where is the part for the Kurds in the governing council? No particular designation, haven't the Kurds played ball enough with you?"