So whatever happened to the story of Najaf attack call-off?

[Goldmund]

Yesterday the NYT ran this story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/11/international/middleeast/11CND-IRAQ.html?hp

"After spending today preparing for a major attack against insurgents loyal to the rebel Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, American forces called off the assault, at least for now.

Officers here said the delay had resulted from a need to extend planning and said the attack could still be carried out at any time. The abrupt reversal came after a day of hawkish announcements by American officers here."

Then, also:

"Any attack must still be approved by Ayad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister. Officers said they could not disclose whether Mr. Allawi had delayed the attack."

And at the same time:
"UPDATE 12-AUG 0907 +0400 GMT: Allawi’s office issued a press statement this morning denying his government had given approval to American forces to storm the holy shrines in Najaf. This contradicts earlier press reports from the New York Times and the Washington Post, which quote a “military spokesman” and even Allawi spokesman Georges Sada as confirming approval had been given."

(http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=745295&mesg_id=745295&page=)

What gives?

[DrWeird]

1. My guess would be...

Somebody high in the chain of command realized it was a big mistake, stopped it, got sacked, and then somebody else took over and launched it.

The whole thing is about Bush's reelection you know.