NEWS: Aides for Iraqi Cleric in Negotiations for Amnesty, page 1

posted on Aug, 13 2004 @ 09:34 PM

link

Aides for Iraqi Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr a radical Shiite leader who is believed to have been a motivating factor in terrorist attacks throughout the war torn nation, are now in negotiations with the Iraqi leaders and are willing to end the fighting after major U.S. military attacks in the city of Najaf. The result has lead to reports that Sadr himself was wounded in the clash. Among the demands from al-Sadr's aides are American withdrawal from the holy city and amnesty for all his fighters, in exchange for his fighters to disarm and end the fighting..

Guardian Full Article

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - U.S. forces suspended a major offensive against militants in Najaf on Friday, and aides to Muqtada al-Sadr told Iraqi negotiators that radical Shiite cleric was prepared to disarm his followers in exchange for a list of demands including an American withdrawal from the holy city and amnesty for all his fighters.

The negotiations to end nine days of clashes in Najaf came as al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia appeared to stop most attacks in the city.

Before the pause in the fighting, aides to the cleric said al-Sadr was slightly injured early Friday, suffering shrapnel wounds to the face, chest and shoulder as he met with followers near the revered Imam Ali Shrine, where many of the militants were hiding. Secretary of State Colin Powell said he could not confirm that al-Sadr was wounded.

U.S. troops and Iraqi officials want to ensure that any new truce would eliminate the flaws of the previous agreements, including one that ended a two-month uprising in early June. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia repeatedly violated that cease-fire, shooting at police and burying caches of weapons in Najaf's vast cemetery and using the time to regroup, according to U.S. officials and witnesses.

In Washington, Powell said he hoped the insurgent leader would respond.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

A truce?

Can we ever negotiate with terrorists?

Are those fighting with al-Sadr terrorists or freedom fighters?

It seems to me that the best option is to bomb this thug and his band of fighters into oblivion. They have only added to the problems in Iraq, for both the U.S. Military and more important the Iraqi people.

al-Sadr and his twisted view of Islam is much the same as the more well known terrorist group Al-Qaeda. If this man has his way Iraq would be a place much like Afghanistan before the attacks of 9/11/01 and the resulting military action that changed that nation.. Sadr would have an Iraq that lives under the strictest laws of Islam. And a world that would bring death to all infidels.

Related News:

Iraq, Al-Sadr Aides Negotiate Najaf Truce

British reporter freed at al-Sadr's urging

Related Website:

Aljazeera.Net - Profile: Muqtada al-Sadr

[edit on 13-8-2004 by UM_Gazz]

FredT

posted on Aug, 13 2004 @ 09:45 PM

link

No, you cannot. The Shah Of Iran would agree with me. He could not seal the deal with Komenhei exiled him instead. Look how well that worked out. If you exile him you he can still pull strings, If you jail him he is more dangerous IMHO. Better to say hello with a 2000 lb bomb and be done with it.

sanctum

posted on Aug, 14 2004 @ 08:31 AM

link

Peace talks in Najaf 'failed'
From correspondents in Najaf, Iraq
August 14, 2004

TALKS to end days of fighting between Shiite militia and United States-backed Iraqi forces in the central holy city of Najaf broke down today, Iraq's national security adviser, Muwafaq al-Rubaie, said.

news.com.au...
www.cbsnews.com...

Sanc'.

[edit on 14-8-2004 by sanctum]