Azzaman,
Iraq
Moqtada Al Sadr Calls for 'Peaceful War' Against Occupier
By Abdulhussein Zair
September 23, 2006
Azzaman - Iraq- Original
Article (English) 
The
radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr 
is urging his
followers not to use force in opposing the Iraqi government and the presence of
U.S. troops, and seems open to compromise.
Al-Sadr's
military wing, the al-Mahdi Army , is one of Iraq's most powerful and lethal militias.
It has already waged two major uprisings against U.S. forces and a number of mutinies
against the government.
In the southern
city of Diwaniya earlier this month, the al-Mahdi Army easily defeated Iraqi military
and police forces. To help regain some semblance of control, the troops had to seek
the aid of U.S. forces.
Sadr said
his call for compromise and civil resistance was for the sake of sparing Iraqi
blood. But nevertheless, he still had some harsh words for the United States.
“I don't
think this new attitude will persuade America to give up its tyranny. It is an
aggressor country and will remain so. As for me, there will be no letup in my
opposition to the occupier,” he said.
Sadr's
bloc took part in the last parliamentary elections and won 30 of the 275 seats
in the National Assembly. His bloc has two ministers in the government as part
of the ruling Shiite coalition.
Sadr has
a large following among the Shiites in Baghdad and several other cities in
southern Iraq.
“I want
you to wage a peaceful war against them (Americans). I do not wish to see a
single drop of blood shed, because this is very dear to us. Engage them
(Americans) in a popular, peaceful and political war,” he asked his followers.
However,
he said Iraqis should expect nothing but “death and destruction” from the
United States.
VIDEO FROM QATAR: MUQTADA SADR WARNS
AMERICANS AND ARABS ABOUT OCCUPATION
Al Jazeera TV, Qatar: excerpts from an interview by Iraqi Shiite Leader Muqtada Sadr, Feb. 18, 00:04:29, Via MEMRI
"All the talk and all the rumors that if the American forces leave - or even if they don't leave - Islamic or Arab forces will enter - they, too, will be occupiers."
Iraqi Shiite Leader Muqtada Sadr
[LATEST NEWS PHOTOS: Iraq].