"......Sometimes wisdom quits the mind of the Americans."

[rodeodance]

.......Meanwhile, Iraqi officials attempted to defuse a controversy that erupted over the whereabouts of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whom the US military said had left for Tehran before the security plan began.

Sami al-Askari, a member of parliament and a political adviser to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, confirmed that the anti-American firebrand was indeed in Tehran at "official invitation" but said he would be back soon.

He criticised American officials for publicising the trip, calling it an "unjustifiable provocation" of Sadr's supporters, but also hit out at Sadr's movement for denying the visit and thus playing into Washington's hands.

"According to my information he is in
Iran on a short visit," Askari said.

"He has visited Iran many times. It is normal."

Sadr's supporters had denied a statement by the US military in
Iraq that the hardline Shiite leader has been in Tehran since some time last month.

Asked why the Americans would have highlighted Sadr's visit, Askari said: "They tried to put it in the wrong context. Why should they try to provoke the Sadrists? Sometimes wisdom quits the mind of the Americans."............

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070215/ts_afp/iraq_070215121458;_ylt=Avk55sVDRF0z9uDdZYGoSALMWM0F

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Oh, so true, Askari -- well said. nt