US cautious on Sadr group's return to Iraqi politics

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The return of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's political bloc to the Iraqi government is a "positive sign" but could be a tactic to help its militia survive a US-Iraqi crackdown, the US ambassador to Baghdad said.

"I believe the recent trend, the recent stand is more positive than past," Zalmay Khalilzad told a group of Western reporters.

"If it is a change of heart, meaning a strategy, and submitting to the rule of law, it is a good thing. But if it is change of tactic then we need to be cautious as tactics could change."

The group had suspended participation in the political process following Maliki's November 30 meeting with US President George W. Bush in Jordan, but ended its boycott on Sunday.

Sadr's bloc has 32 MPs in Iraq's 275 member parliament and six ministers in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's cabinet.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070124/pl_afp/iraqpoliticsunrestus_070124141020

[Eugene]

1. Reuters: US Iraq envoy sees positive signs on militias

US Iraq envoy sees positive signs on militias
24 Jan 2007 19:16:13 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Alastair Macdonald

BAGHDAD, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador praised Iraq's prime minister
for taking a "strong position" with fellow Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr and
said on Wednesday he saw some positive signs that Shi'ite militia violence
could be contained.

Describing preparations for a U.S.-backed security crackdown in Baghdad,
Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters Washington was wary of the risk militants and
death squad killers were simply lying low until it was over but added: "There
will be no sanctuary."

"Operations will go on until Baghdad is made secure."

Khalilzad, who plays a key role in Iraqi politics, said he believed Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki had become "exasperated" with a failure to persuade Sadr and his
followers to rein in death squads and other violence by his Mehdi Army militia and
"did a good job" in ordering arrests of key suspects recently.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC464269.htm