Thursday, September 20, 2007
17 prominent Sadrists released from prison
Security, Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - Seventeen prominent members of al-Sadr movement, or those loyal to Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, will be released today from U.S. prisons in Iraq, Iraqi National Security Advisor Moqaffaw al-Rubaie said on Wednesday. "17 Sadrist detainees in coalition prisons will be set free in response togovernment efforts," al-Rubaie said during a news conference in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Refusing to reveal the identity of the released prisoners, al-Rubaie said, "I would not describe them as leaders, but some of them are well-known in their regions…"
"This is the fourth batch of Sadrist detainees to be released from coalition forces' prisons," he explained. At the beginning of the conference, al-Rubaie announced an initiative by the Iraqi government that aims at enhancing the performance of security and legal institutions and release detainees from Iraqi prisons, and warned political factions against politicizing the move for "sectarian purposes."
Describing his government's initiative for "enforcing the rule of law" as an attempt "to do justice to the detainees in Iraqi prisons and address their issues in accordance with human rights principles," al-Rubaie said that the Iraqi government is determined to take all necessary measures to improve the performance of its security and legal apparatus.
Al-Rubaie read out the details of the initiative to reporters, which he said urges all concerned state-run institutions, including the ministries of defense, interior, justice, and labor, to provide accurate information about the number of Iraqi detainees and prisoners. The information will be submitted to the Supreme Legal Council, the leadership of the Public Prosecution, and the Ministry of Interior, al-Rubaie indicated.
Acknowledging serious problems in Iraqi prisons and detention centers, the security advisor warned political factions of politicizing the government's initiative. "The government asserts that it is not a political issue. We should put political divisions and factional and sectarian allegations aside and undermine endeavors to make use of the initiative for political or partisan purposes," al-Rubaie noted.
"This is the fourth batch of Sadrist detainees to be released from coalition forces' prisons," he explained. At the beginning of the conference, al-Rubaie announced an initiative by the Iraqi government that aims at enhancing the performance of security and legal institutions and release detainees from Iraqi prisons, and warned political factions against politicizing the move for "sectarian purposes."
Describing his government's initiative for "enforcing the rule of law" as an attempt "to do justice to the detainees in Iraqi prisons and address their issues in accordance with human rights principles," al-Rubaie said that the Iraqi government is determined to take all necessary measures to improve the performance of its security and legal apparatus.
Al-Rubaie read out the details of the initiative to reporters, which he said urges all concerned state-run institutions, including the ministries of defense, interior, justice, and labor, to provide accurate information about the number of Iraqi detainees and prisoners. The information will be submitted to the Supreme Legal Council, the leadership of the Public Prosecution, and the Ministry of Interior, al-Rubaie indicated.
Acknowledging serious problems in Iraqi prisons and detention centers, the security advisor warned political factions of politicizing the government's initiative. "The government asserts that it is not a political issue. We should put political divisions and factional and sectarian allegations aside and undermine endeavors to make use of the initiative for political or partisan purposes," al-Rubaie noted.
COMMENT: It would appear that deals have been cut in the wings. One of al-Sadr's conditions for not turning on the government and to consider rejoining it were that imprisoned Sadrists be released. COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Moqaffaw al-Rubaie, prisoners, Sadrists
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Detained Sadrists released in Karbala
Security
(Voices of Iraq) - A number of detained Sadrists were released in the Shiite sacred city of Karbala after being arrested following the clashes that erupted two weeks ago between Iraqi security forces and gunmen near the Shiite holy shrines in the city while Shiite pilgrims were observing the birth anniversary of their 12th Imam, the governor of Karbala said on Tuesday.
"A total of 55 detainees from the Sadr movement were freed," Aqeel al-Khazaali told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). "They were arrested by security forces and proved that they were not involved in the incidents," he also said, noting that he would demand the release of all detainees that found not guilty.
"The investigation committee, assigned by prime minister to probe into the Karbala incidents, stopped arresting followers of Sadr in Karbala," Director of al-Sadr's office in the city Abdul Hadi al-Mahmadawi said. He told VOI earlier "the investigation committee called on me and told me that the arresting campaign against the Sadrists stopped." He described the move as "a good step".
Karbala local authorities said that committee started its work on Monday, while the city's police chief said that his forces arrested more than 400, suspected of having involvement in Karbala clashes. Karbala witnessed a series of clashes between gunmen and police forces, where 35 people were killed and over 130 injured according to the Iraqi defense ministry's estimates.
The clashes took place in Karbala while the Shiite city was receiving hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims heading to the shrines of imams al-Hussein and al-Abbas as a prelude to celebrating the birth anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi. Karbala is 108 km southwest of Baghdad.
"A total of 55 detainees from the Sadr movement were freed," Aqeel al-Khazaali told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). "They were arrested by security forces and proved that they were not involved in the incidents," he also said, noting that he would demand the release of all detainees that found not guilty.
"The investigation committee, assigned by prime minister to probe into the Karbala incidents, stopped arresting followers of Sadr in Karbala," Director of al-Sadr's office in the city Abdul Hadi al-Mahmadawi said. He told VOI earlier "the investigation committee called on me and told me that the arresting campaign against the Sadrists stopped." He described the move as "a good step".
Karbala local authorities said that committee started its work on Monday, while the city's police chief said that his forces arrested more than 400, suspected of having involvement in Karbala clashes. Karbala witnessed a series of clashes between gunmen and police forces, where 35 people were killed and over 130 injured according to the Iraqi defense ministry's estimates.
The clashes took place in Karbala while the Shiite city was receiving hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims heading to the shrines of imams al-Hussein and al-Abbas as a prelude to celebrating the birth anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi. Karbala is 108 km southwest of Baghdad.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sunni and Shiite politicians meet at Iraq conference in Helsinki
International, Politics
(Voices of Iraq) - An official source from the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition said on Saturday that officials representing Sunni and Shiite political blocs along with independent figures met in Helsinki in a two-day conference on means to stop sectarian violence throughout the war-torn country.
"The conference that started on Friday in the Finnish capital was attended by many Iraqi figures, including the leading figure of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) and State Minister for National Dialogue Affairs Akram al-Hakim, Head of the National Dialogue Front Saleh al-Mutlak, and the leading figure of the Dawa Party Waleed al-Hilli," the source, who spoke on anonymity condition, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The source added "the participants are expected to discuss during the two-day-conference a number of experiences that might help establishing peace in Iraq, experiments practiced in states like South Africa and North Ireland." Media reports earlier indicated that representatives from the Sunni Accordance Front, the Shiite Sadr movement, SIIC and Dawa party took part in the conference.
A leading figure from the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's movement denied the Sadrists' attendance of the conference. "The Sadr movement is not aware of this conference and no invitation was sent to the movement on attending the conference," Salah al-Obeidi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Adnan al-Dulaimi, Head of the Accordance Front, told VOI "I was not informed of the conference and no invitation was made to us to attend it."
The official from the Unified Iraqi Coalition noted that "the conference was scheduled to be larger in scope but the absence of the good preparation and the short time caused many Shiite and Sunni figures not to attend." "The conference was organized by a Finnish non-governmental organization interested in peace and crises and the Finnish authorities have no connection to the conference," the unnamed official added.
"The conference that started on Friday in the Finnish capital was attended by many Iraqi figures, including the leading figure of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) and State Minister for National Dialogue Affairs Akram al-Hakim, Head of the National Dialogue Front Saleh al-Mutlak, and the leading figure of the Dawa Party Waleed al-Hilli," the source, who spoke on anonymity condition, told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).
The source added "the participants are expected to discuss during the two-day-conference a number of experiences that might help establishing peace in Iraq, experiments practiced in states like South Africa and North Ireland." Media reports earlier indicated that representatives from the Sunni Accordance Front, the Shiite Sadr movement, SIIC and Dawa party took part in the conference.
A leading figure from the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's movement denied the Sadrists' attendance of the conference. "The Sadr movement is not aware of this conference and no invitation was sent to the movement on attending the conference," Salah al-Obeidi told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI). Adnan al-Dulaimi, Head of the Accordance Front, told VOI "I was not informed of the conference and no invitation was made to us to attend it."
The official from the Unified Iraqi Coalition noted that "the conference was scheduled to be larger in scope but the absence of the good preparation and the short time caused many Shiite and Sunni figures not to attend." "The conference was organized by a Finnish non-governmental organization interested in peace and crises and the Finnish authorities have no connection to the conference," the unnamed official added.
Labels: Adnan al-Dulaimi, Akram al-Hakim, Finland, Iraq, Sadrists, Saleh al-Mutlak, SIIC, Unified Iraqi Coalition, Waleed al-Hilli
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sadrists deny reports of withdrawing from government
Politics
(Al-Sharqiyah television) - Lawmakers affiliated with Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr denied reports that they intend to withdraw from the Iraqi government, Al-Sharqiyah television reported on August 12. Some confusion over the lawmakers' stance arose after an aide to al-Sadr, Ahmad al-Sharifi, called a press conference on August 11 claiming that politicians affiliated with al-Sadr decided to boycott the political process.
Al-Sharifi also said that the members of parliament loyal to al-Sadr are illegitimate representatives of the al-Sadr movement. He then announced the formation of a political council that he claimed would represent the al-Sadr movement. Later the same day, several of the al-Sadr lawmakers called a press conference in Baghdad to deny al-Sharifi's claims. Lawmaker Falah Hasan Shanshal told reporters that al-Sadr continues to support the original political council, adding that the cleric did not give al-Sharifi the go-ahead to form a new council.
Political council member Abd al-Mahdi al-Mutayri told reporters that the lawmakers are the sole representatives of the al-Sadr movement in the Iraqi political arena, and that they have no intention of withdrawing their participation in the government. Six al-Sadr loyalists resigned from cabinet positions earlier this year. Aides to the Shi'ite cleric have said they plan to attend the political summit in Baghdad this week.
Labels: Abd al-Mahdi al-Mutayri, Ahmad al-Sharifi, al-Sadr movement, Falah Hasan Shanshal, Sadrists
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Sadrists end parliament boycott
Politics
(Reuters) - The political bloc of fiery Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Tuesday it had resumed participation in Iraq's parliament, suspended last month in protest over an attack on a revered Shi'ite mosque. "Starting from today, we have ended our suspension to the parliament. We are back," Nassar al-Rubaei, spokesman for the bloc in parliament, told Reuters.
The movement holds 30 of parliament's 275 seats and also accounts for a quarter of the seats in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The Sadrist bloc withdrew from parliament on June 13 after the destruction of the twin minarets of the Golden Mosque in Samarra by suspected al Qaeda militants. It complained that Maliki's government had not done enough to protect the shrine.
Rubaei said the bloc ended its boycott after the parliament responded to its demands on pressing the government to protect shrines. The bloc also pulled its six ministers from Maliki's cabinet in April in protest at his failure to set a deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
The movement holds 30 of parliament's 275 seats and also accounts for a quarter of the seats in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The Sadrist bloc withdrew from parliament on June 13 after the destruction of the twin minarets of the Golden Mosque in Samarra by suspected al Qaeda militants. It complained that Maliki's government had not done enough to protect the shrine.
Rubaei said the bloc ended its boycott after the parliament responded to its demands on pressing the government to protect shrines. The bloc also pulled its six ministers from Maliki's cabinet in April in protest at his failure to set a deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
Labels: Iraqi parliament, Nassar al-Rubaie, Sadrists
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Sacked Sadrists reinstated
Politics
(Reuters) - The political bloc of anti- American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has reappointed two members as lawmakers after sacking them earlier this month for meeting U.S. officials, the movement said on Friday. The political committee of Sadr's movement said the sacking of Salam al-Maliki and Qusay Abdul Wahab was "unprompted and unintentional," adding their "innocence from the charges against them has been established."
"The previous measure concerning their ejection from the parliamentary Sadrist bloc is to be cancelled," the political committee said in a statement. Nassar al-Rubaie, head of the Sadrist bloc in parliament, confirmed the two had been reinstated as lawmakers for the movement. Maliki, a former transport minister, had previously denied he had been fired and also said he had not met any U.S. officials.
Sadr's movement holds a quarter of the parliamentary seats in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Sadr withdrew his six ministers from Maliki's government on Monday to protest the prime minister's refusal to set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"The previous measure concerning their ejection from the parliamentary Sadrist bloc is to be cancelled," the political committee said in a statement. Nassar al-Rubaie, head of the Sadrist bloc in parliament, confirmed the two had been reinstated as lawmakers for the movement. Maliki, a former transport minister, had previously denied he had been fired and also said he had not met any U.S. officials.
Sadr's movement holds a quarter of the parliamentary seats in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Sadr withdrew his six ministers from Maliki's government on Monday to protest the prime minister's refusal to set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Labels: Moqtada Al-Sadr, Nassar al-Rubai, Qusay Abdul Wahab, Sadrists, transport minister Salam al-Maliki
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Cabinet debates replacement ministers as Sadrists leave
Politics
(Reuters) - Iraq's cabinet debated on Tuesday who would replace six ministers loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr after they quit a day earlier, and officials said non-sectarian technocrats would likely be chosen. In the biggest cabinet shakeup since Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki took office a year ago, the ministers pulled out of the government in protest at his refusal to set a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, a demand of the anti-American cleric.
The Sadrists, who form the single biggest parliamentary bloc in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance, called on Maliki to appoint non-partisan independents, a move the prime minister welcomed. An aide to the prime minister said Maliki would work swiftly to fill the posts, which include the transport and health ministries, and present his nominees to parliament within days.
Analysts are divided on the implications of Sadr's pullout but agree it is unlikely to significantly weaken the Shi'ite-led government. The biggest concern is whether Sadr, by distancing himself from the government, may feel less constrained to rein in his feared Mehdi Army militia.
Maliki's government may also feel under more pressure to address the timetable issue, a popular demand of many Iraqis four years after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Tens of thousands rallied last week to protest at the U.S. presence. Maliki reiterated on Monday that U.S. troops would leave Iraq only when Iraqi forces could take over security. His new, U.S.-trained army is still heavily dependent on U.S. firepower and logistical support. A regular cabinet meeting was being held on Tuesday and senior Shi'ite lawmaker Haider al-Ibadi said replacements would inevitably be discussed.
The Sadrists, who form the single biggest parliamentary bloc in the ruling Shi'ite Alliance, called on Maliki to appoint non-partisan independents, a move the prime minister welcomed. An aide to the prime minister said Maliki would work swiftly to fill the posts, which include the transport and health ministries, and present his nominees to parliament within days.
Analysts are divided on the implications of Sadr's pullout but agree it is unlikely to significantly weaken the Shi'ite-led government. The biggest concern is whether Sadr, by distancing himself from the government, may feel less constrained to rein in his feared Mehdi Army militia.
Maliki's government may also feel under more pressure to address the timetable issue, a popular demand of many Iraqis four years after the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Tens of thousands rallied last week to protest at the U.S. presence. Maliki reiterated on Monday that U.S. troops would leave Iraq only when Iraqi forces could take over security. His new, U.S.-trained army is still heavily dependent on U.S. firepower and logistical support. A regular cabinet meeting was being held on Tuesday and senior Shi'ite lawmaker Haider al-Ibadi said replacements would inevitably be discussed.
Another Shi'ite lawmaker from Maliki's Dawa party confirmed candidates' names were under discussion. "There will not be choices based on sectarian affiliations," said Ali al-Adeeb. Some analysts contend Sadr was losing support within his movement because of his tacit support for the crackdown, which he had hoped would speed up a U.S. troop withdrawal, and that was why he decided to pull out.
Labels: Iraqi parliament, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Nouri Al-Maliki, Sadrists
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Al-Sadr threatens to pull out of government
Politics
(AP) - Iraqi Cabinet ministers allied to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr threatened Wednesday to quit the government to protest the prime minister's lack of support for a timetable for U.S. withdrawal. Such a pullout by the very bloc that put Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in office could collapse his already perilously weak government. The threat comes two months into a U.S. effort to pacify Baghdad in order to give al-Maliki's government room to function.
Al-Sadr's political committee issued a statement a day after al-Maliki rejected an immediate U.S. troop withdrawal. "We see no need for a withdrawal timetable. We are working as fast as we can," al-Maliki told reporters during his four-day trip to Japan, where he signed loan agreements for redevelopment projects in Iraq. "To demand the departure of the troops is a democratic right and a right we respect. What governs the departure at the end of the day is how confident we are in the handover process," he said, adding that "achievements on the ground" would dictate how long American troops remain.
Al-Maliki spoke a day after tens of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of two Shiite holy cities, on al-Sadr's orders, to protest the U.S. presence in their country. The rally marked the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's conquer by American forces. "The Sadrist movement strongly rejects the statements of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, in which he stood by the continued presence of occupation forces despite the will of the Iraqi people," said the statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
"The Sadrist movement is studying the option of withdrawing from the Iraqi government, a government that has not fulfilled its promises to the people," it said. "We are serious about withdrawing," it added. It would not be the first time the Sadrists, who hold six seats in the Cabinet, left al-Maliki's government. Al-Sadr's ministers and 30 legislators boycotted the government and parliament for nearly two months to protest a November meeting between al-Maliki and President Bush in Jordan.
The statement expressed anger over the Baghdad security plan launched on Feb. 14, calling it "unfair." Iraqi and U.S. troops have been targeting members of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which has been blamed for sectarian killings.
Al-Sadr's political committee issued a statement a day after al-Maliki rejected an immediate U.S. troop withdrawal. "We see no need for a withdrawal timetable. We are working as fast as we can," al-Maliki told reporters during his four-day trip to Japan, where he signed loan agreements for redevelopment projects in Iraq. "To demand the departure of the troops is a democratic right and a right we respect. What governs the departure at the end of the day is how confident we are in the handover process," he said, adding that "achievements on the ground" would dictate how long American troops remain.
Al-Maliki spoke a day after tens of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of two Shiite holy cities, on al-Sadr's orders, to protest the U.S. presence in their country. The rally marked the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's conquer by American forces. "The Sadrist movement strongly rejects the statements of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, in which he stood by the continued presence of occupation forces despite the will of the Iraqi people," said the statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
"The Sadrist movement is studying the option of withdrawing from the Iraqi government, a government that has not fulfilled its promises to the people," it said. "We are serious about withdrawing," it added. It would not be the first time the Sadrists, who hold six seats in the Cabinet, left al-Maliki's government. Al-Sadr's ministers and 30 legislators boycotted the government and parliament for nearly two months to protest a November meeting between al-Maliki and President Bush in Jordan.
The statement expressed anger over the Baghdad security plan launched on Feb. 14, calling it "unfair." Iraqi and U.S. troops have been targeting members of al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia, which has been blamed for sectarian killings.
Labels: government, Moqtada Al-Sadr, Nouri Al-Maliki, Sadrists
Friday, February 16, 2007
High-level Iraqi govt efforts to release Sadrists in U.S. custody
Politics
(Voices of Iraq) A leading Sadrist figure unveiled on Thursday that the Iraqi government was exerting efforts to free the media spokesman for Sadrist movement Sheikh Abdul-Hadi al-Daraji and health deputy minister Hakem al-Zamli, who were being detained in the US custody. U.S. forces arrested al-Daraji a month ago during a raid along with Iraqi troops in Baghdad, while al-Zamli was detained when a U.S. and Iraqi combined force stormed the headquarters of Iraqi Health Ministry last Thursday in central Baghdad.
The Shiite official pointed out that high-level efforts were being exerted to release the two followers of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. "These efforts were made by Iraq's President Jalal al-Talabani , Premier Nouri al-Maliki, and National Security Advisor Muafaq al-Rubaie," Shanshal added.
Meanwhile, an official source in Shaheed Sadr office in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa described as baseless news on the assassination of Sadr movement media official in Samawa. Media reports on Wednesday said Samawa city was placed under a day-long-curfew after the body of a leading figure at Sadr office was found dumped in the city. The Sadr movement, followers of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, is a main component of the Shiite Iraqi Unified Coalition with 30 seats at the 275 member parliament and six portfolio.
The Shiite official pointed out that high-level efforts were being exerted to release the two followers of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. "These efforts were made by Iraq's President Jalal al-Talabani , Premier Nouri al-Maliki, and National Security Advisor Muafaq al-Rubaie," Shanshal added.
Meanwhile, an official source in Shaheed Sadr office in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa described as baseless news on the assassination of Sadr movement media official in Samawa. Media reports on Wednesday said Samawa city was placed under a day-long-curfew after the body of a leading figure at Sadr office was found dumped in the city. The Sadr movement, followers of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, is a main component of the Shiite Iraqi Unified Coalition with 30 seats at the 275 member parliament and six portfolio.
Labels: custody, deputy health minister, Sadrists
