Sadr describes Maliki as "Threat to democracy"

[k98nights]

Sadr describes Maliki as "Threat to democracy"

Added by Baghdad Iraq on October 25, 2012.

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) -Sadr accused the US of continuing to meddle in Iraqi affairs, despite the withdrawal of most of its troops from the country, with damaging consequences for Iraqi politics as he described Maliki is a threat to democracy assuring that there is no way of resolving the political crisis.

Speaking to Al-Akhbar Lebanese Newspaper, he pointed out “The American occupation of the sacred land of Iraq had a big and negative impact on the land and the people. It took lives and plundered resources, and it continues to do so,” he said.

“But perhaps the most important of these negative results is the consolidation of the occupation’s influence over the land that tormented it for years. This influence amounts to imposing military and political control and continuing its unacceptable interference with the political parties,” he added.

Sadr charged that a number of Iraqi institutions remain under US control saying that “There are still many files which it continues to control, as well as some bases and detention centers, in addition to its intelligence and other influence.”

“This interference will prevent Iraq from being independent and making its own regional and international decisions,” Sadr assured, continuing that “America wants this in order to increase its hegemony and power internally and externally.”

Sadr was also strongly critical of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, describing him a threat to the democracy in Iraq, mentioning that “His autocratic behavior was endangering the country’s democracy and making a resolution to the long-running political crisis in the country impossible.”

Sadr concurred with the growing chorus of charges by Iraqi political groups that Maliki monopolizes the decision-making, and warned “I’ve said it in the past and will continue to say it. I do not fear for myself personally in this regard, but this behavior will ultimately result in taking Iraq away from the path of democracy and freedom, and even that of clean elections.”

He held out little chance of President Jalal Talabani succeeding in his efforts to reach a deal between Maliki and his opponents to resolve the political crisis.

“I do not imagine that he is capable of doing that. If he had been able to resolve the crisis he would not have distanced himself from following up the decisions of the Erbil meeting,” he emphasized.

Sadr was also dismissive of the committee set up by the INA ostensibly to tackle the crisis. “I did not take part in this committee’s meetings, and I do not know their details. But resolving the crisis is impossible, because as far some are concerned, resolving it means (submitting to) dictatorship and monopolized decision-making.”

The INA committee was tasked with collating the demands of the various other political blocs and drafting them into a document which has come to be known as the “Reform Paper.” There has been much skepticism about the process, and the Iraqiya List and other political groups have questioned whether such a paper even exists at all. “Whether it exists or not, it makes no difference to me,” Sadr remarked.

When asked about the criticism leveled by Maliki’s State of Law coalition at the Sadrists over their attitude to disputes over jurisdiction between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, he replied “these are all political disputes, and bit by bit they will drag the country to ruin.”

Sadr would not comment on the case of Tariq al-Hashimi, the vice-president who was recently sentenced to death in absentia by the Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court.

He pronounced himself “relatively” satisfied with the performance of his own group’s legislators in parliament.

“Theirs is the best performance, though not all that is required or what we would wish. But they deserve gratitude if we compare them to the other MP’s,” he said. “The intention behind their work must be the service of the people.”

Sadr also denied that his movement was backing the controversial amnesty law that would allow releasing large numbers in Iraqi jails and has been the subject of fierce controversy in parliament.

Turning to the crisis in Syria, Sadr called for an end to the killing and to foreign intervention in the conflict.

“The avoidance of bloodshed is a duty. There is no gain from or reason for conflict with anyone except Israel and America,” he said, noting that “We will not accept any foreign intervention in Syria, and accordingly I have avoided intervening too.”

Regarding Bahrain, however, Sadr had a different message stressing that “The voice of people must rise, and the voice of injustice and oppression must fade. We salute the people in revolt and pray for God to grant them victory.”

http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/sadr-describes-maliki-as-quot-threat-to-democracy-quot/

[Crow]

Never thought I would here the words democracy come from Sadr's mouth!!

[skitealwedrop]

I beginning to think that Maliki is Iraq's new Saddam. Deja vu, in a bad way.

[uncirculd]

Guys it really looks like Sadr is trying to do the right thing. Calling for the foreign intervention in Syria. Wow, that's big.

[unirod]

I've said it in the past and I'll say it again; "Sadr is an evil man"

[uncirculd]

maliki is a threat to the human race.

[cranster]

Lol... Since when is mr. sharia concerned about democracy

[cranster]

I beginning to think that Maliki is Iraq's new Saddam. Deja vu, in a bad way.

I realized that a couple years ago when it became apparent that seating a complete goi was impossible, as is erbil. M is The new S. Democracy in Iraq is a US delusion. All they are willing to tollerate are strong men, and Sharia. Both are endemic to middle eastern DNA. The so called Arab spring... (Western winter) is just replacing strong men for the Muslim Brotherhood. By the looks of Libya, and Egypt... And their treatment of Women, and Christians... Wow... What a spring, and a breath of fresh air...I'm impressed

Edited October 26, 2012 by cranster

[skitealwedrop]

I realized that a couple years ago when it became apparent that seating a complete goi was impossible, as is erbil. M is The new S. Democracy in Iraq is a US delusion. All they are willing to tollerate are strong men, and Sharia. Both are endemic to middle eastern DNA. The so called Arab spring... (Western winter) is just replacing strong men for the Muslim Brotherhood. By the looks of Libya, and Egypt... And their treatment of Women, and Christians... Wow... What a spring, and a breath of fresh air...I'm impressed

Good post Cranster, I agree. Americans tried to shove Democracy down the throats of a male dominated Muslim culture in Iraq, with fail. What a waste in the American taxpayers money.

The ME is a disaster, in my opinion. I don't understand their religion and their consistent violence towards one another. I have read enough history to know that the boys in the sand pit thrive on conflict. I hope it's working for them.

[Doctor Smith]

Good post Cranster, I agree. Americans tried to shove Democracy down the throats of a male dominated Muslim culture in Iraq, with fail. What a waste in the American taxpayers money.

The ME is a disaster, in my opinion. I don't understand their religion and their consistent violence towards one another. I have read enough history to know that the boys in the sand pit thrive on conflict. I hope it's working for them.

The US is one of the few reason they have a shot at Democracy in Iraq. Yet Sadr plays a political card saying the US is partly the cause of Maliki's rampage.

[S.FITZ]

Sadr & Maliki along with their cronies will do all they can to discredit the United States. They hope to keep all Iraqi citizens under their so called "enlightened & all knowing" regime. They are true believers in keeping "others" "ignorant & needy" as exemplified in their lack of providing BASIC services, education, medical care, food or fuel for the Iraqi people. Promises that are empty are their by-lines...

[skitealwedrop]

The US is one of the few reason they have a shot at Democracy in Iraq. Yet Sadr plays a political card saying the US is partly the cause of Maliki's rampage.

I don't really care anymore. Iraq is third world country. The American taxpayers gave Iraq opportunity and many pallets of USD to sustain their economy during and after the war. At some point the Iraqi's will have to begin to us their own currency and get off the USD ***. Iraq could have been a well oiled machine, by now, from a business standpoint. Their religious and political conflicts have deterred them.

[zigmeister]

I don't really care anymore. Iraq is third world country. The American taxpayers gave Iraq opportunity and many pallets of USD to sustain their economy during and after the war. At some point the Iraqi's will have to begin to us their own currency and get off the USD ***. Iraq could have been a well oiled machine, by now, from a business standpoint. Their religious and political conflicts have deterred them.

As a taxpayer I do not recall I had a choice on this road. I am not sure you are up on current events but just because we invaded their country, and expect them to pick up a democratic union, of which was not their choice as a people....and they have connections to the wrong side of town, we make judgements.....we do not understand because we do not live there. We invaded their country, they did not ours. Hopefully we can make some green off of them.

[Bumper64]

I beginning to think that Maliki is Iraq's new Saddam. Deja vu, in a bad way.

If this is true, I hope Malki raises the value of the dinar like Saddam did before the war. $3+ would work for me :lol:

[skitealwedrop]

As a taxpayer I do not recall I had a choice on this road. I am not sure you are up on current events but just because we invaded their country, and expect them to pick up a democratic union, of which was not their choice as a people....and they have connections to the wrong side of town, we make judgements.....we do not understand because we do not live there. We invaded their country, they did not ours. Hopefully we can make some green off of them.

I agree with you completely. I think that the objective was to take down Saddam, at all costs. That was achieved, at the American taxpayers expense, without our permission to blow our cash. Iraq was given a new pallet in the sense of freedom from dictatorship and opportunity to grow economically. I seriously doubt that Maliki views it as I do. In the interim, we have no control in the way the that the Iraqi's progress.

I have tried to respect the Muslim religion. The violence and the way that Muslim men treat women turns me off.

I want to make money, too. In turn, the average Iraqi deserves a better life. I hate greed!

[uncirculd]

Don't we suppose that their democracy is just religious tolerance, and respecting women more? They want to educate, and be brothers, and women are now in parliament. They may never be a full fledge democracy like ours, but at least they are taking a shot at it. It's just bad that the so called leader (THE PM) of the country is not demonstrating it. He is demonstrating dictatorship. Sadr feels that we placed maliki in charge and that is why maliki is still in that position. I am starting to really believe that they have no clue how to "play" politics. They just mouth each other like little kids, like a tattle tell. Diplomacy is also lacking. Only in the extreme folks such as maliki, and Sadr. Sadr is showing signs of letting up and learning, still not there though. This is a new thing to them. yeah we need to give them some credit and they definitely need time. Lots of time.

BTW skitealwedrop- You probably missed a lot of article about Maliki if you just now see him as Saddam. He's been a bad boy.

Edited October 29, 2012 by uncirculd

[skitealwedrop]

I'm on board, Maliki has to go. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. When is the next election in Iraq?

[uncirculd]

I'm on board, Maliki has to go. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. When is the next election in Iraq?

2014. But we should not have to wait that long. He has a bunch of no no's piling up on him and about to explode. Hold on to your skies, we are about to take a super wild ride in the next 2 weeks.

[skitealwedrop]

2014. But we should not have to wait that long. He has a bunch of no no's piling up on him and about to explode. Hold on to your skies, we are about to take a super wild ride in the next 2 weeks.

My boots are firmly attached to my planks whilst riding. As always, I will remain grounded regarding our investment. We shall see how Iraq progresses. Iraq has plenty of potential from an economic standpoint.