NYT: Beleaguered Premier Warns U.S. to Stop Interfering in Iraq's Politics

[sabra]

Note: registration needed to view article...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/international/middleeast/30iraq.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Beleaguered Premier Warns U.S. to Stop Interfering in Iraq's Politics

BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 29 — Facing growing pressure from the Bush administration to step down, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari of Iraq vigorously asserted his right to stay in office on Wednesday and warned the Americans against interfering in the country's political process.

Mr. Jaafari also defended his recent political alliance with the radical Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, now the prime minister's most powerful backer, saying in an interview that Mr. Sadr and his militia, now thousands strong, are a fact of life in Iraq and need to be accepted into mainstream politics.

...

"There was a stand from both the American government and President Bush to promote a democratic policy and protect its interests," he said, sipping from a cup of boiled water mixed with saffron. "But now there's concern among the Iraqi people that the democratic process is being threatened."

"The source of this is that some American figures have made statements that interfere with the results of the democratic process," he added. "These reservations began when the biggest bloc in Parliament chose its candidate for prime minister."

[TomInTib]

1. Hey, sabra, that's a "members only" article.

I am one, but you might want to give a heads-up for those DUers who are not.

This is an explosive issue and just further highlights the administration's gross incompetence and ineptness.

[TacticalPeek]

2. Actually, it came up fine for this non-member.

The print-friendly link is even faster and less graphics heavy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/30/international/middleeast/30iraq.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

[TomInTib]

4. Well, now, that just pisses me off...

$50 a month and what am I? Chopped livahh?

edited due to my inability to spell "and"

[LynnTheDem]

3. I just gotta

:rofl:

[wookie294]

5. Now Bush is at war with his Shiite "brothers"

The clusterfuck is not going well.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Iraq PM warns US not to interfere

Last Updated: Thursday, 30 March 2006, 09:45 GMT 10:45 UK
Iraq PM warns US not to interfere

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari has defended his right to stay in office and warned the US not to interfere in his country's politics.
Mr Jaafari also defended his ties with radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr, saying he and his militia needed to be accepted into mainstream politics.

The comments came in an interview with the New York Times newspaper.

On Tuesday, Iraqi politicians said the US ambassador had told them the US did not want Mr Jaafari to remain PM.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4860286.stm

[acmavm]

7. This is an interesting turn of events. The Iraqis telling bush** to mind

his own business. Don't they know that he's not exactly the kind of guy to do that? I mean, if he spies on the people in his own country, what's he gonna do about the people in a country that he's dropped bombs on and hijacked?

This ought to be good.

[Supersedeas]

12. Not quite funny - but how much more can * mismanage things?

[Vidar]

8. Brave man.

[saigon68]

9. NEGROPONTE WILL KILL HIM

[Vidar]

13. The buzzards are circling.

[bklyncowgirl]

10. Bush may unite the Shiites and Sunnis after all.

YANKEE GO HOME!

Of course he won't since the whole idea is to have those permanent bases on Iraqi soil.

This does not bode well for our troops .

[bemildred]

11. Goodness, I think he's developing "autocratic tendencies".

And becoming "increasingly dictatorial".