Iraq: Massacre fears as Najaf peace talks collapse...

http://www.sundayherald.com/44094

Iraq: Massacre fears as Najaf peace talks collapse; Sunni city bombed Athens: Blair signs ‘sham’ truce

Thousands flock to support al-Sadr
By James Cusick, Westminster Editor

US warplanes yesterday bombed the Sunni stronghold of Samarra and the fragile ceasefire in Najaf abruptly ended amid fears of an impending “massacre” ... yet British Prime Minister Tony Blair signed up to an Olympic Truce in Athens.
The truce, which called for a halt to conflict and for peace and reconciliation during the Games, was signed by 450 world leaders and international personalities. US President George Bush declined.

As Blair added his signature, fears were growing that the failure of peace talks between the new interim government and fighters loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr would lead to more deaths.

Thousands were reported to be flocking to Najaf to support al-Sadr, who now expects Iraq’s interim prime minister Ayad Allawi to order an attack on the holy mosque in which the rebel leader is claiming sanctuary.

..snip..

up to the plate. Not from the US, who has none to loan, not from the UN, not from anyone.