The revelation of this extraordinary plot, which would probably have provoked an uprising by outraged Shia if it had succeeded, has left a legacy of bitter distrust in the mind of Mr Sadr for which the US and its allies in Iraq may still be paying.
According to Iraqi National Security Adviser Dr Mowaffaq Rubai'e, the US tried to kill Al-Sadr while pretending to negotiate with him. There is a lesson to be learned here: when the Bush administration does negotiate, it is most often a ruse. They do not negotiate in good faith, not with their friends, not with Congress and certainly not with their adversaries. Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's hugely popular Shia cleric, did not have to be an enemy of the United States.
Realpolitik--politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical, in advancement of the "national interest"--is not part of the neo-conservative lexicon. Instead, lying, deceiving and implementing an ideological agenda at all costs, based on narrow private interests is what they are all about. The world, especially the American people, need to wake up to this reality. Call a spade a spade and do the only honorable thing: Impeach!
Dr Rubai'e and other mediators started for the house. As they did so they saw the US Marines open up an intense bombardment of the house and US Special Forces also heading for it. But the attack was a few minutes premature. Mr Sadr was not yet in the house and managed to escape.punditman says:
According to Iraqi National Security Adviser Dr Mowaffaq Rubai'e, the US tried to kill Al-Sadr while pretending to negotiate with him. There is a lesson to be learned here: when the Bush administration does negotiate, it is most often a ruse. They do not negotiate in good faith, not with their friends, not with Congress and certainly not with their adversaries. Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's hugely popular Shia cleric, did not have to be an enemy of the United States.
Realpolitik--politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical, in advancement of the "national interest"--is not part of the neo-conservative lexicon. Instead, lying, deceiving and implementing an ideological agenda at all costs, based on narrow private interests is what they are all about. The world, especially the American people, need to wake up to this reality. Call a spade a spade and do the only honorable thing: Impeach!
