Iraq Shi'ites blast Bush comparison with al Qaeda

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Iraq_Shi_ites_blast_Bush_comparison_with_al_Qaeda.html?siteSect=143&sid=7462134&cKey=1169651277000

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite officials on Wednesday dismissed as "ridiculous" U.S. President George W. Bush's comment that Shi'ite militants were as big a danger to the United States as Sunni al Qaeda.

In his annual State of the Union address, Bush warned of Shi'ite militancy in Iraq and the Middle East and reiterated the need for more troops in Iraq as the "best chance of success".

An official from a top Shi'ite party in Iraq said Washington would lose focus in fighting terrorism if it decided to open up a new front against Shi'ite militias.

"Comparing Shi'ite militias to al Qaeda is ridiculous. They are protecting their own communities after a three-year onslaught by terrorists and only a few outlaws take revenge. How are the militias a threat to the United States?" he said.

[Unperson]

1. Don't they know? Al Qaeda is everywhere.

They are the enemy so they must be Al Qaeda.

[thereismore]

2. Arbusto* actually said that Al Qaeda is a Sunni organization in SOTU,

which shocked me. His speech writer actually knows that. Fascinating.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

3. Mr. "Diplomacy" strikes again and I'm sure done quite deliberately. If anyone

thinks for one second that this man wants peace in Iraq, I have a bridge in to sell you. I wonder how many more of our troops will die because of his statements last night.