Iraqi Peace Mission Snubbed by Rebel Cleric Sadr

[NeoConsSuck]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=564&e=1&u=/nm/20040817/ts_nm/iraq_dc_263

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Tuesday refused to meet an Iraqi peace delegation because of "American aggression" as U.S. troops pounded militia positions in Najaf near the country's holiest Islamic sites.


The failure to hold face-to-face talks raises the possibility of a U.S.-led offensive to crush Sadr's Mehdi Army in the city, scene of 13 days of fierce fighting that has killed hundreds.


Braving U.S. bombardment and militia sniper fire, the group of eight political and religious leaders drove to al-Sadr's office seeking to end a rebellion in the holy city and other parts of Iraq (news - web sites).

[wtmusic]

1. Can't we stop the fucking bombing

long enough to hold talks? This is ridiculous.

[The Crazy Canadian]

2. Showdown in Najaf

At this point, i think Moqtada will sit this out as long as he can. I doubt he'll give in to any demands from the US or its puppet regime.

I'll be pretty shocked if the US goes in to get him in the Shrine. It'll enrage the entire region.

I have no clue how this will all play out, this is a huge gamble for both sides.

[Dancing_Dave]

3. That headline is mileading.

There was no snub, just "security" reasons why al-Sadr himself would or could not meet the delegation in the midst of a U.S. bombardment.

Nevertheless, the peace delegation thought their communication with al-Sadr's aides was constructive, and are planning to meet al-Sadr himself soon.

A more recent AP article on the incident corrects a number of these errors in the first dispatch:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040817/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq&cid=540&ncid=1480