I will bring al-Sadr into government, says the man tipped to be Iraq's new

[floda]

I will bring al-Sadr into government, says the man tipped to be Iraq's new PM


A leading contender to become Iraq's new prime minister has offered to welcome Moqtadr al-Sadr, the demagogic Shia cleric behind bloody uprisings against coalition forces, into a new government expanded to include those who boycotted the election.

Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a moderate Shia whose United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) list is certain to top last weekend's poll, told The Telegraph that Sadr, wanted for alleged involvement in the hacking to death of a fellow cleric, was "a good person" who could play a constructive role in the new Iraq.

"Moqtadr Sadr's father was killed by Saddam Hussein," he said. "He has a large number of followers. We can involve them. If they are not killers, and if we have no evidence against them, then we can give them a chance to share in the political process."

His comments show the lengths to which Iraq's likely new leaders are prepared to go in order to divide the insurgency and marginalise its most fanatical elements. Last spring, American spokesmen were insisting that Sadr, whose rebel Mahdi army has killed British and American troops, be "killed or captured". Sadr, who on Friday called for all coalition troops to be withdrawn, also has ties with figures in Iran who might welcome failure in Iraq.

more...

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&xml=/news/2005/02/06/wirq06.xml

[ramapo]

1. How will the Bushies twist this around?

How long until they declare that the democratic process has been subverted by the terrorists and insurgents?

[ECH1969]

2. Ibrahim al-Jaafari is just one of three or four Shiites

Trying to become PM.

And, if Sistani's list doesn't come up with one name in the next two weeks Allawi will be named PM again.