Al-Sistani said to weigh pullout demand

NAJAF, Iraq - Iraq's top Shiite cleric is considering demanding a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. and foreign troops after a democratically elected government takes office next year, according to associates of the Iranian-born cleric.

He will not do it in an anti-American way, but in a pro-Iraqi way," Nasr said. Ahmed S. Hashim, a professor of strategic studies at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., said a public declaration by al-Sistani "will leave us without any legs to stand on in Iraq."

"But if we are made to withdraw prematurely, the country will plunge into civil war," said Hashim, who has visited Iraq several times since 2003.

The associates said al-Sistani's suspicion of the Americans stems in part from the deep resentment many Shiites still hold for the U.S. decision not to intervene on their behalf in the 1991 uprising against Saddam following the Gulf War that year. Saddam's forces crushed that rebellion, slaughtering tens of thousands of Shiites.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/breaking_news/13024286.htm

now we are going to deal with the Sunnis with our own methods...

convert or die

freedom is on the march...

and is a professor at the Naval War College.

"Quick, get someone with an Arabic last name..." :eyes:

Sistani may become the target of a sad black op....

:eyes:

get it does he? Does he really think that rich guys would invest billions in that place and then just give it away?

It's time to pull out, they don't want us there.

Phase 1 has been accomplished. Now Phase 2 must be completed.

Bush Regime Iraq Successes

1. Saddam will no longer sell Iraqi oil via the Euro.

2, A military foothold in the ME. Other than Saudi Arabia.

3, No countries will be able to buy Iraqi oil that the U.S. disapproves of.

4. The Multi-Intl. Oil Corps are reaping great profits.

"The terrorists want to control the oil. Our way of life will be at risk". George W. Bush

around 40% of the troops a few months before '06 Elections but if the Insurgency is still strong and ramping up violence,those troops will be sent back after the Elections.

They are just barely keeping the lid on with the 160,000 they have now. Any major troop reduction would also be a huge security reduction. None of the asshats calling for some gradual disengagement are thinking clearly.

http://www.juancole.com/2005/10/sistani-may-call-for-us-withdrawal.html">Juan Cole. Sistani May Call for US Withdrawal
If Sistani gives The Fatwa for a US withdrawal, the Bush administration will simply have to acquiesce. The situation would be similar to what happened in the Philippines in 1991, when the Philippines senate declined to authorize the extension of the treaty that permitted US naval bases in that country.

HAMZA HENDAWI. Al-Sistani said to weigh pullout demand: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/13024286.htm

... fly into a frenzy of activity. He's going to be busier than a deli cook at lunchtime for a few days, until he nips that in the bud. Can't have the puppet acting on its own--forced withdrawal isn't in the plan....

this administration not only morally, but stratigically made one of the worst decisions in the history of our country

Instead of going after the real threat, i.e. terrorism, they instead diverted resources to a conflict that had NOTHING to do with 9/11, and now that Iran, Syria, and North Korea pose real threats with potential nuclear weapons, we are impotent

Where was Congress when they should have been doing their job providing checks and balances insteading of giving this administration the authority to go into Iraq

There is a lot of blame to go around. True the administration hold the most, but so do the moderate repukes, and democrats for giving him a free pass, even though enough people in the state department, and from the bush I era warned that Iraq was NOT the threat being portrayed

You can't wage war against a technique. Quit screwing around with these countries...stop stealing their stuff and trying to overthrow their governments and terrorism will end.

www.juancole.com/2005/10/sistani-may-call-for-us-withdrawal.html

http//www.juancole.com/2005/10/sistani-may-call-for-us-withdrawal.html

I don't know how much influence he has {or will have}
on policy.

{I suppose he could run for parliment,
just like anyone else}

Juan Cole knows full well who Sistani is and knows that his voice is possibly the most influential in the country. I believe he is the reason there hasn't been an all-out civil war in Iraq.

my recolection is, US left the navy bases,
because of an increase in rent demanded,
not because of religion

made the decision to give the occupation time to hand over power to the Shiite majority. Now that he has given the "political process" sufficient time to have elections and make its constitution he believes the US has run out of reasons to stay. Al-Sistani, as well as all Iraqis, is ready to say goodbye to the Americans and the Brits.

If Sistani issues a Fatwa, there will be 10 million Iraqis on the street an hour later.

And they will simply overrun the entire armed forces.

It is all about what this guy wants....



how have you been Lynn? :hi:

If he calls for Shi'ites to turn Iraq upside down they will do it.

He has more power than the gov't because the people actually listen to him. Also he isn't morally corrupt, or a sell out to the US. He hasn't met with the US, even with the US wanting to meet with him since the invasion. This wins him a lot of support from the people for not just being another sellout to US interests.

http://sistani.org/html/eng/

All Shi'a Muslims in Iraq take this guy very seriously. Including those Shi'a politicians that enjoy being elected.

I like stories that I don't have to register for.

Welcome to DU occuserpens!
:)



http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1260675

NAJAF, Iraq Oct 28, 2005 — Iraq's top Shiite cleric is considering demanding a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. and foreign troops after a democratically elected government takes office next year, according to associates of the Iranian-born cleric.

If the Americans and their coalition partners do not comply, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani would use peaceful means such as mass street protests to step up pressure for a pullout schedule, according to two associates of the cleric.

The associates spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media. They are in regular contact with al-Sistani and call routinely on the 76-year-old cleric at his home in the holy city of Najaf south of Baghdad.

The reclusive al-Sistani rarely leaves his home and limits his public comments to religious decrees, or fatwas. He has steadfastly refused to meet with any American officials since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.

...for bailing out of a war that has become an albatross around their necks.