Iraq cleric eroding support for U.S. plan......talk about burying the lead

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0312080148dec08,1,4101130.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed

this could turn into the THE big story, as regards our disastrous encounter with the Iraqi Tar Baby.

everyone knows we want out as soon as possible, damn the consequences for ANYone but the B* election campaign.

In a classic case of watch what they DO, not what they say, the junta makes bold, brave statements regarding staying the course, when it's obvious that cut and run is the real strategy.

the most powerful Shiite cleric and his followers (including 'secular' Shiites, as well) are not fooled by the hollow words of Bush/Bremer/Rumsfeld. too bad the US press is so easily taken in

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a quiet but commanding cleric among Shiite Muslims, has challenged the vision of a quick-fix American-tailored government for Iraq. For more than two weeks, the Americans have been stumped over how to shake the influential ayatollah's resolve.

Al-Sistani wants direct elections for Iraq's general assembly before constitutional laws are written. That flies in the face of an agreement signed Nov. 15 by Iraqi political leaders and the American-led coalition to choose a provisional government through regional caucuses in June.

The ayatollah envisions an election scenario--one person, one vote--that could add months to a Bush administration plan to transfer power to the Iraqis by July. He also insists on a firm statement that any government in Iraq makes clear its Islamic roots.

and, buried deep at the end of this insightful article, is the crux of the issue, and the ONLY thing that matters to this maladministration, whose only concern, regarding every aspect of national and international politics, is that of maintaining power:

Several members {of the Governing Council} now privately rue the speed of the Nov. 15 agreement, saying it was timed to next year's U.S. presidential election. "We all know the November election next year is the driving force," said a council member, who asked for anonymity. "I love George W. . I want him re-elected. ... But the fate of 25 million people is also at risk here."

wonder what the estimated lifespan of these council members, as well as Al-Sistani might be.......

also, check this thread, which has stories that outline the origins of this above-linked article

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=246711

this one isn't going away soon, unless all the key players over there decide to take a plane trip together

"We all know the November election next year is the driving force,"

you can be sure this MAJOR tenet of Iraqi dissatisfaction will be almost completely ignored in the US, even though it's part of a front page story in one of the leading newspapers in the country.

it'll be forgotten, UNLESS, say, a democratic presidential hopeful picks up on the utter irony of the situation, in which our government, in trying to impose our form of "democracy" on the Iraqis, quashes their own indigenous attempts to deal with the situation on their own terms

"succeeds" by removing 'coalition' forces resulting in another Ira* blood-bath .. I think it will backfire big time. Pop didn't finish the job, and jr can't either?

Of COURSE he's not going to play nice! He KNOWS for a fact that because Bush wants to get re-elected, he's going to sell off the Iraqi occupation at a dirt cheap price. DUH. This is common business sense. ANYONE who still continues to say Karl Rove is a "genius" needs to have a look at how badly he's getting played right here. This Shiite cleric can ask for whatever he wants, and Bush is going to have to give it to him.

SO, SO STUPID!