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Imagine Dick Cheney's reaction when confronted with this bit of information.
Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a certified Iraqi nationalist leader and the country's de facto kingmaker, has just called for the end of any "armed resistance" against US "invader" forces before a full US withdrawal in December 2011 - as established by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed by the Iraqi parliament and the Bush administration in late 2008.
There's an important "but": If the US does not completely withdraw, and if what is widely regarded by a majority of Iraqis as "the occupation" continues, armed operations will resume "with new means".
Muqtada has always stressed the Sadrists wouldn't tolerate US troops after December 21; what's new is the "wait and see" attitude.
****What is the US up to in Iraq? While the Sadrists want the end of the occupation, Washington would be happy to settle for a client state.****
To make things clear, the Sadrists unleashed a huge demonstration in Baghdad on Friday, pressing three demands:
Jobs
The Nouri al-Maliki government should pull an Obama and immediate set up a jobs programme that will benefit at least 50,000 Iraqis from all ethnic and religious affiliations.
Social justice
The al-Maliki government should transfer royalties from the country's fabulous oil profits to each Iraqi citizen.
Sovereignty
No US troops whatsoever in Iraqi soil after December 31.
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Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a certified Iraqi nationalist leader and the country's de facto kingmaker, has just called for the end of any "armed resistance" against US "invader" forces before a full US withdrawal in December 2011 - as established by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed by the Iraqi parliament and the Bush administration in late 2008.
There's an important "but": If the US does not completely withdraw, and if what is widely regarded by a majority of Iraqis as "the occupation" continues, armed operations will resume "with new means".
Muqtada has always stressed the Sadrists wouldn't tolerate US troops after December 21; what's new is the "wait and see" attitude.
****What is the US up to in Iraq? While the Sadrists want the end of the occupation, Washington would be happy to settle for a client state.****
To make things clear, the Sadrists unleashed a huge demonstration in Baghdad on Friday, pressing three demands:
Jobs
The Nouri al-Maliki government should pull an Obama and immediate set up a jobs programme that will benefit at least 50,000 Iraqis from all ethnic and religious affiliations.
Social justice
The al-Maliki government should transfer royalties from the country's fabulous oil profits to each Iraqi citizen.
Sovereignty
No US troops whatsoever in Iraqi soil after December 31.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
