Peace delegation 'can't find escort' (to Najaf)

[floda]

A delegation of Iraqis meant to help negotiate an end to the uprising in Najaf was forced today to delay its mission to the holy city when it could not get a military escort for the dangerous journey.

The 60 mediators from Iraq’s National Conference had planned to leave early today to meet radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and appeal to his followers to put down their arms and join Iraq’s political process.

However, by early afternoon, they still remained at the conference site in central Baghdad.

“The US troops and Iraqi police refused to escort the delegation, they are afraid for its safety because they themselves are being targeted by militants,” said delegate Ahmad al Hayali.

more...

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/08/17/story162144.html

[mediaman007]

1. The military should be embarrassed

How can the greatest military in the history of the World be intimidated by a rag-tag group of fighters.

If we can't provide security for this group, how can we be making Iraq a better place.

Or...we don't want them in Najaf. We may not want any witnesses in this killing zone.

[Aidoneus]

2. An absurdity! (two, in fact)

a) Why would a "peace delegation" need a military escort? Oh wait, to ask for them to effectively surrender to the invaders' facade.
b) If the "peace delegation" from that dubious conference had to have one, why would they want a team of occupyers and collaborators ("the enemy") to provide such? It might just maybe sorta kinda send the wrong message..

[stickdog]

3. It's even worse than that. We don't want any men of conscience on this

mission. We have to limit the potential witnesses to hardcore pro-occupationists.

It's obviously not that we can't deliver 60 delegates to Najaf ...

we just won't.