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Mahdi Army

 
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Oppenheimer



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: SantaFe, New Mexico

PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 3:55 pm    Post subject: Mahdi Army Reply with quote

Radical Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr says his militia would defend Iran if it is attacked
The Associated Press, Jan. 22, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran


Radical Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Sunday that his Mahdi Army would help to defend Iran if it is attacked by a foreign nation, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Al-Sadr, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, said his militia was formed to defend Islam.

"The forces of Mahdi Army defend the interests of Iraq and Islamic countries. If neighboring Islamic countries, including Iran, become the target of attacks, we will support them," al-Sadr was quoted as saying.

"The Mahdi Army is beyond the Iraqi army. It was established to defend Islam," he said.

The comments could be seen as a message that Tehran has allies who could make things difficult for U.S. forces in the region if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked.

Al-Sadr has a large following among Iraq's young and impoverished Shiites. His militia launched two uprisings against U.S. troops in Iraq in 2004 but since the fighting ended he has transformed himself into a respectable political figure. Al-Sadr's followers now hold 21 seats in the outgoing parliament as well as three Cabinet posts.

Al-Sadr's backing of Iran, a Shiite majority nation, follows a hint from Israel's defense minister that the Jewish state was preparing for military action to stop Iran's nuclear program. A few days earlier, French President Jacques Chirac said France could respond with nuclear weapons against any state-sponsored terror attack. The comments were seen by some as a reference to Iran.

"I don't see any threat against Iran," Larijani said after his meeting with al-Sadr. "Iran is big and strong and it is a hard target."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said earlier Sunday that Israel would be making a "fatal mistake" should it resort to military action. Iran has warned that Israel was living in a "glass house" and was well within Iran's missile range.

An upgraded version of Iran's Shahab-3 missile has a range of over 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), keeping all U.S. forces in the Middle East and Israel within its range.

Israel maintains a nuclear monopoly in the Middle East and is thought to harbor about 200 warheads deployed on ballistic missiles, aircraft and submarines, according to the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Israeli officials do not comment on the country's nuclear weapons potential.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi emphasized Sunday that dialogue was the best way to settle the dispute and issued a harsh warning to European powers to resume talks.

"We advise them (Europe) not to choose any path except dialogue. If there is a retribution to be paid, that will include Europe too," Asefi said, adding that Iran plans to continue cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran's resumption of its nuclear research program earlier this month has caused an international standoff and a flurry of meetings.

Some Western nations fear Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to develop an atomic bomb. Iran insists it is using it for peaceful energy purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors will meet Feb. 2 to discuss whether to refer Iran to the Security Council for possible sanctions.
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Oppenheimer



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: SantaFe, New Mexico

PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Firebrand Iraqi cleric will defend Iran and Syria
Mon. 06 Feb 2006
Iran Focus

http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5659

Tehran, Iran, Feb. 06 – Radical Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr said on Monday that he will defend Iran and Syria against foreign aggression, the Fars news agency which his owned by the Office of the Supreme Leader reported.

Sadr made the comments after meeting and holding talks with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

“I am in the service of Syria and Iran”, Sadr said, adding that he was willing to support Islamic nations through “any means”.

The firebrand cleric described the United States and Britain as the “enemies of Iraq”.

“We will defend Iran and Syria”, Sadr said.

In January, Sadr was in Tehran where he met and held talks with senior Iranian officials.

There he vowed to support Iran if it ever came under foreign military aggression. “If neighbouring Islamic countries, including Iran, come under attack, then the Mahdi Army will support them”, he said.

Sadr’s armed militia, the Mahdi Army, launched an offensive against United States-led forces in Iraq in April 2004. The attempted uprising was, however, quashed after several military offensives by U.S. troops and the political intervention of Iraq's senior Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani.
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Oppenheimer



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: SantaFe, New Mexico

PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ames Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy led a discussion on "The Way Forward in Iraq: An Integrated Political-Military-Economic Strategy."

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/59632.htm


Ellen writes:
With regards to militias like Sadr's Mahdi Army, who's loyalty is to Iran , and the premise of Iraqi sovereignty, does not this situation constitute a violation on the Iranian government's part of UN resolutions regarding Iraq ?

James Jeffrey:
Dear Ellen -- Interesting question. First of all, we support the new constitution 's ban on military militias. The existence of these militias undermines security in Iraq and poses a threat to the Iraqi people, Iraqi Security Forces, and Multinational Forces-Iraq that cannot be tolerated. Regarding the possible violation of UN resolutions, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 requires Iraq 's neighbors to respect the sovereignty of Iraq and also encourages its neighbors to do what they can to assist in the development and reconstruction of the country. Those countries that are found to undertake actions that do not respect Iraq 's sovereignty or that contribute to undermining stability in Iraq risk reaction by the international community. We have significant concerns with Iran in this context and are prepared to discuss them with the incoming government in the proper forum.

--------------------

"Ellen" is also "Oppie"...as noted below in return mail. Changed even the gender for privacy...I thought that was cute....(Chuckle).

Figured it was a good question to ask, and I guess they thought so too....luck of the draw among thousands of questions asked.
What's important is that the situation will be dealt with...

----- Original Message -----
From: "U.S. Department of State" <usdeptstate@mailnj.custhelp.com>
To: (Oppenheimer)
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: Iranian backed militias [Incident: 060125-000255]



Thank you for your question to the U.S. Department of State web site.
Your question has been received and we are working on an answer for
you.


Question Reference #060125-000255
---------------------------------------------------------------
Summary: Re: Iranian backed militias
Category Level 1: Ask the State Department
Date Created: 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Last Updated: 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Status: Unresolved


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Customer - 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Dear Ambassador,

With regards to militias like Sadr's Mahdi Army, who's loyalty is to Iran, and the premis of Iraqi soveregnity, does not this situation constitute a violation on the Iranian government's part of UN resolutions regarding Iraq?

And as a follow-up, How is this issue being addressed on the ground between the Iraqi government, and the international community?


[---001:000773:03830---]


A short Bio:

James Jeffrey
Ambassador, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy
Term of Appointment: 08/10/2005 to present




Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has appointed Ambassador James Jeffrey as Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq. Ambassador Jeffrey, in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, will report directly to the Secretary and will develop, coordinate and lead implementation of policy on Iraq. He will represent the Secretary and the Department in interagency meetings and co-chair an Under Secretary-level interagency steering group on Iraq policy. He will work with foreign government officials on issues related to Iraq.


A career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, James Jeffrey served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad from June 2004 to March 2005. From March to June 2005 Ambassador Jeffrey was U.S. Charge d’affairs to Iraq. He served as Ambassador to Albania from 2002-2004. Previously he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Turkey and Kuwait. Other assignments have included Deputy Special Representative for Bosnian Implementation, postings in the Department’s European and Near Eastern Bureaus, and overseas service in Turkey, Bulgaria, Germany and Tunisia.


Ambassador Jeffrey received a B.A. in history from Northern Eastern University and a M.S. in business from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1976, with postings to Germany and Vietnam.
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Oppenheimer



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: SantaFe, New Mexico

PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy led a discussion on "The Way Forward in Iraq: An Integrated Political-Military-Economic Strategy."

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/59632.htm


Ellen writes:
With regards to militias like Sadr's Mahdi Army, who's loyalty is to Iran , and the premise of Iraqi sovereignty, does not this situation constitute a violation on the Iranian government's part of UN resolutions regarding Iraq ?

James Jeffrey:
Dear Ellen -- Interesting question. First of all, we support the new constitution 's ban on military militias. The existence of these militias undermines security in Iraq and poses a threat to the Iraqi people, Iraqi Security Forces, and Multinational Forces-Iraq that cannot be tolerated. Regarding the possible violation of UN resolutions, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 requires Iraq 's neighbors to respect the sovereignty of Iraq and also encourages its neighbors to do what they can to assist in the development and reconstruction of the country. Those countries that are found to undertake actions that do not respect Iraq 's sovereignty or that contribute to undermining stability in Iraq risk reaction by the international community. We have significant concerns with Iran in this context and are prepared to discuss them with the incoming government in the proper forum.

--------------------

"Ellen" is also "Oppie"...as noted below in return mail. Changed even the gender for privacy...I thought that was cute....(Chuckle).

Figured it was a good question to ask, and I guess they thought so too....luck of the draw among thousands of questions asked.
What's important is that the situation will be dealt with...

----- Original Message -----
From: "U.S. Department of State" <usdeptstate@mailnj.custhelp.com>
To: (Oppenheimer)
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: Iranian backed militias [Incident: 060125-000255]



Thank you for your question to the U.S. Department of State web site.
Your question has been received and we are working on an answer for
you.


Question Reference #060125-000255
---------------------------------------------------------------
Summary: Re: Iranian backed militias
Category Level 1: Ask the State Department
Date Created: 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Last Updated: 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Status: Unresolved


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Customer - 01/25/2006 01:28 PM
Dear Ambassador,

With regards to militias like Sadr's Mahdi Army, who's loyalty is to Iran, and the premis of Iraqi soveregnity, does not this situation constitute a violation on the Iranian government's part of UN resolutions regarding Iraq?

And as a follow-up, How is this issue being addressed on the ground between the Iraqi government, and the international community?


[---001:000773:03830---]


A short Bio:

James Jeffrey
Ambassador, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy
Term of Appointment: 08/10/2005 to present




Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has appointed Ambassador James Jeffrey as Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Coordinator for Iraq. Ambassador Jeffrey, in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, will report directly to the Secretary and will develop, coordinate and lead implementation of policy on Iraq. He will represent the Secretary and the Department in interagency meetings and co-chair an Under Secretary-level interagency steering group on Iraq policy. He will work with foreign government officials on issues related to Iraq.


A career member of the U.S. Foreign Service, James Jeffrey served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad from June 2004 to March 2005. From March to June 2005 Ambassador Jeffrey was U.S. Charge d’affairs to Iraq. He served as Ambassador to Albania from 2002-2004. Previously he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Turkey and Kuwait. Other assignments have included Deputy Special Representative for Bosnian Implementation, postings in the Department’s European and Near Eastern Bureaus, and overseas service in Turkey, Bulgaria, Germany and Tunisia.


Ambassador Jeffrey received a B.A. in history from Northern Eastern University and a M.S. in business from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1976, with postings to Germany and Vietnam.
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Oppenheimer



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1166
Location: SantaFe, New Mexico

PostPosted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Islamic Regime expresses anxiety over continued arrests and incarceration of its minions in Iraq

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzzi.

http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/010498.htm

Ali-Asqar Khaji, Special representative of the Islamic regimes foreign ministry to Iraq expressed great anxiety regarding continued arrests and incarcerations of the regimes minions in Iraq and demanded that Iraqi authorities to be very mindful of such matters. READ MORE

The regime-run news agency, FARS quoted a spokesman for regimes Ministry of Foreign Affairs High Office of Intelligence and Press in saying: "Saad Al-Hayani, the deputy to the foreign minister of Iraq who has traveled to Kermanshah in order to establish an Iraqi consulate as well as to promote and encourage relations between our two countries, will meet our special representative, Ali-Asqar Khaji for discussions on the matter."
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