can it be anymore clear this is no stinkin democracy?
Iraq PM slams raid on Shiite stronghold
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060808/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestmalikiraid_060808104005<snip>
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has criticised his own government's security forces and their US advisers for carrying out a night-time raid on the Baghdad Shiite district of Sadr City, which he said had been undertaken without his consent.
In an interview broadcast Tuesday on state television, Maliki branded the raid "unjustified" and said such operations "should not happen again in order to protect the reconciliation process" he has launched to bring an end to sectarian fighting in Iraq.
Iraqi army soldiers and US advisers headed into Sadr City late on Sunday night in order, according to a US statement, to capture "individuals involved in punishment and torture cell activities".
The raiders came under fire from militiamen loyal to the Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr and became drawn into a two-hour battle. Coalition aircraft fired into the city and at least three civilians were killed.
"I reiterate my rejection to such operation and it should not be executed without my consent. This particular operation did not have my approval," the Shiite prime minister said, echoing concerns made by President Jalal Talabani.