Iraqi PM accuses Sunni clerics of fuelling tension

[sabra]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070105/ts_nm/iraq_clerics_dc

Iraqi PM accuses Sunni clerics of fuelling tension By Claudia Parsons

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's prime minister accused a leading Sunni Muslim clerics' group on Friday of stoking tension by saying that militias were preparing attacks on Sunni neighborhoods in Baghdad.

The Muslim Clerics' Association, an umbrella grouping of religious leaders of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority, said in a statement on Thursday that militias linked to an unnamed political group were planning attacks.

"The statement from the Muslim Clerics' Association is totally baseless and raises tension, and we hold the Muslim Clerics responsible for any action that results from this," said a statement from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office.

The clerics' statement did not identify the militia or say that it was Shi'ite. But the use of the word "militia" and the suggestion of links to government parties is an unmistakable indication to Iraqis that it was accusing Shi'ite groups.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. And the shiite lynching party had nothing to do with it?

"totally baseless and raises tension" - yes it is unthinkable that a sectarian militia in Iraq would conduct such an attack, unprecedented. So has al-Maliki got his retirement villa all squared away yet? I wonder what non muslim riviera-like region he has chosen.

[earlybelle]

2. "Sunni" will replace "communist" and "terrorist" as the new word to excuse any

type of terrorism by the US and its Shia allies in Iraq.

[Tempest]

3. Shiite militias have been attacking Sunni neighborhoods

Since when is telling the truth and warning people been a problem?

[Eugene]

4. The clerics say government officials work with the Shiite militias.

Gee, I wonder why. :eyes:

If the militias attack, they will hold the Iraq government responsible.

(Associated Press)

Sunnis Eye Reckoning With Head Iraq Shia


Friday January 5, 2007 6:16 PM

AP Photo BAG104

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A prominent Sunni Arab group charged Friday that some officials
in the Shiite-led government have links with Shiite militias involved in sectarian
violence and should be held responsible for any attacks by the armed groups.

The Association of Muslim Scholars said it had obtained information that militias were
planning to attack neighborhoods in Baghdad, in line with bloody assaults this year
pitting members of Iraq's majority Shiites against Sunni Arabs who dominated the country
under Saddam Hussein.

"We also have come to know that some officials in this government know of this criminal
scheme, which raises suspicions that they are collaborating with these militias," the
association said.

"The Association of Muslim Scholars holds the current Iraqi government and the occupation
forces responsible for any injustice against Iraqi people," said the group, which is believed
to have links to the Sunni Arab-led insurgency fighting government and U.S.-led forces.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6325388,00.html