Rice, in Iraq, lashes out at Muqtada Sadr:The secretary of State mocks his threat of all-out war

[spanone]

great condi, that's a real constructive way of engaging our enemies

is this statesmanship? it looks to me that she's gone there to stir up some bad shit.

~snip~
BAGHDAD — After long treating radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia gingerly, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ridiculed him Sunday as a man who asks his followers to fight to the death while he resides in safety in Iran.

Sadr, who on Saturday threatened to declare a formal end to a cease-fire he ordered for his militia in August, was also described by U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker as running a weakened military organization.

The comments came during an unannounced visit by Rice to the Iraqi capital, in which she praised Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's ongoing crackdown on militias. Most of the fighting has been directed at elements of Sadr's militia, but until Sunday, American officials had taken pains to separate Sadr from his more radical followers, who the U.S. claims receive training and arms from Iran.

At least 700 people have died in the fighting in southern Iraq and Baghdad since the government offensive was launched last month.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-fg-iraq21apr21,0,2018247,print.story

[gatorboy]

1. She's not there to charm. She's there to rattle the sabers.

This admin. will not be statisfied until oil hits $200 a barrel.

[spanone]

2. 200? that seems a bit low for these criminals

[saltpoint]

3. I'm surprised Condi even showed up for work, and even more

surprised that she knows anyone at all on the list of Middle East leaders.

Impressive.

[Dhalgren]

Condie is not only a coward,

but a dim-witted one, at that...

[panader0]

4. "Bring 'em on!" Real smart Condi

While bush is the worst prez ever, Sleazy Rice is the worst SOS ever. al-Sadr cease fire has saved many lives, both American and Iraqi.

[Echo In Light]

12. Yeah, that infamous quote unfortunately springs to mind

[Botany]

5. Condi brings gas to the fire

BAGHDAD -- After long treating radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia gingerly, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ridiculed him Sunday as a man who asks his followers to fight to the death while he resides in safety in Iran.

Condi .... go ahead name all your successes.

[Lasher]

6. Where's the part where she says, 'Bring it on'?

Might as well. Or she could say she doesn't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud. Obviously trying to provoke attacks by Sadr's forces so President Cheney can get that wonderful new war in Iran going before the new administration takes over.

[samspade.]

7. I don't get it.

The troop escalation, oops "surge", was intended to quell the violence and facilitate political progress.

So why are we starting a fight, especially when Sadr seems to want back into the political process?

Sniff, sniff. Smells of rat. :tinfoilhat:

Sam

[spanone]

8. so john mccain can have his 100 years in iraq ? it's all iran's fault

[eShirl]

9. wait, Condoleeza Rice is the Secretary of State?

Whoa! When did this happen?

[Winterblues]

14. Way to stay on top of things

When Bush* "won" in '04 Powell was out and Rice in. No real opposition from Democrats either...

[spanone]

10. sorry, here's a thread i didn't see on the same subject!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3186069

[wtmusic]

11. And MAS....waits. nt

[Ganja Ninja]

13. "A man who asks his followers to fight to the death while ...

he resides in safety"

That sounds familiar, where do I remember that from?

[spanone]

15. she must have been talking about junior....never seen a day of combat in his useless years