(The US says the talks have broken down, and are again threatening an
assault on the Imam Ali mosque. Why the assault has been repeatedly delayed
is outlined below. The Sadrists have used the ceasefire during the past 24
hours to encourage and welcome supporters to Najaf, strengthening
Marvin Gandall wrote:
A spokesman for Al Sadr meanwhile told Agence France Presse
early today that UN troops should be brought into Iraq to replace US forces,
an unrealizable demand indicating the Mehdi Army is anticipating a fight.
Debate on demands of the anti-war movement has been
. Ultimately
it will be for the anti-occupation Iraqis to decide what form a US retreat
should take, and for us to respect their choice.
Marv Gandall
- Original Message -
From: Carrol Cox [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2004 9:06 PM
Subject: Re: [PEN-L] Najaf
.
Yesterday BBC reported that Sistani and Al Sadr have met. No doubt
this had been prepared for some time so it is interesting they both
agreed to a public meeting.
Today BBC reports that the US is pulling back from the holy cities
of Najaf and Kufa to hand over the the Iraqi police (whoever they may
Aljazeera.Net - Shia groups see end to Najaf siege[Some more of the
complexities within Iraqi Shia politics are revealed. Note: (1) there has
been a peaceful demonstration _against_ Sadr in Najaf; (2) some Sadrists, if
not Sadr, appear to endorse the peace plan described below, which (3)
includes
