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VorLonUK
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« on: August 13, 2004, 08:31:10 AM » |
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British Journalist Kidnapped in Basra.
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2004, 08:31:10 AM » |
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Very Worrying... BBC News storyQuote
James Brandon, 23, a freelance reporter for the Sunday Telegraph, was kidnapped after 30 masked gunmen stormed into his hotel at 2300 (1900 GMT) on Thursday.
One thing that is slightly hopeful in this case is:- Quote
A spokesman for radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has reportedly called for Mr Brandon's release.
But that depends I suppose if it's Iraqi's loyal to x,y or z or insurgents hell bent on destruction.. Most Brits it would appear don't favour the whole Iraq affair and because of that extreme Iraqi's would gain nothing in harming our fellow Brits. |
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ScutMonkey
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« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2004, 10:54:55 AM » |
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Yeah, killing that guy wouldn't be a good PR move. The Iraqis have the British public right where they want them. Why stoke them with anti-insurgent feelings at this point? Bad move.
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2004, 09:40:12 AM » |
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Quote
Originally posted by: ScutMonkey
Yeah, killing that guy wouldn't be a good PR move. The Iraqis have the British public right where they want them. Why stoke them with anti-insurgent feelings at this point? Bad move.
He was released! good News.. As you said it would have been a bad PR move Scut. Apparently Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr intervened. Good Man  |
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ScutMonkey
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« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2004, 04:47:15 PM » |
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Quote
Originally posted by: VorLonUK
Good Man
I wouldn't go that far. Any time he wants to he can stop the fighting and try to get ELECTED legally under their new constitution instead of having a stupid intefada type uprising that only accomplishes death and suffering. |
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2004, 09:27:19 AM » |
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Quote
ELECTED legally under their new constitution
A US imposed constitution with a puppet government.. I bet he cherishes the thought, I know you would! |
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ScutMonkey
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« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2004, 04:54:36 PM » |
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Quote
Originally posted by: VorLonUK
Quote
ELECTED legally under their new constitution
A US imposed constitution with a puppet government.. I bet he cherishes the thought, I know you would!
As opposed to a Genocial dictators...hmmm...I think his present options are much better. Under Saddam the Shia were constantly butchered for their faith. Regardless, it won't be our puppet government come January of next year when elections are held (I believe that's the date). Anyway, it appears Sadr heard me and knows brilliance when he reads it. From the CNN article: Quote
In a letter from al-Sadr's office in Baghdad, the cleric said he agreed to demands Tuesday night by a delegation from the Iraqi National Conference that he and his forces leave the mosque, disband his Mehdi Army and "enter into the mainstream political process."
All kidding aside, if he really does choose this course of action it's the best way to accomplish his goals, even if I'm very concerned that they aren't in the best interest of the US. |
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VorLonUK
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« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2004, 09:48:06 PM » |
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Quote
All kidding aside, if he really does choose this course of action it's the best way to accomplish his goals, even if I'm very concerned that they aren't in the best interest of the US.
Good Point Scut, Whilst I have followed the news daily from Iraq, I hadn't really fully taken on board just how powerful some of these Clerics are and how big their following can be. So far though Moqtada al-Sadr has managed to save a Briton's life that no doubt would have been taken if it were not for his intervention. I'm one of these guys that is more swayed by actions than talk and to that end Moqtada al-Sadr has come good on this. Saving a life is so important in my eyes (whoevers it is). So I hope that the Coalition can do "business" with this Cleric as he has shown good faith first. |
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ScutMonkey
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« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2004, 11:43:18 AM » |
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Quote
Originally posted by: VorLonUK
Good Point Scut,
Whilst I have followed the news daily from Iraq, I hadn't really fully taken on board just how powerful some of these Clerics are and how big their following can be. So far though Moqtada al-Sadr has managed to save a Briton's life that no doubt would have been taken if it were not for his intervention. I'm one of these guys that is more swayed by actions than talk and to that end Moqtada al-Sadr has come good on this. Saving a life is so important in my eyes (whoevers it is). So I hope that the Coalition can do "business" with this Cleric as he has shown good faith first.
And it all just fell apart in the last two days. Nobody really knows what happened but the scene's exploded and now that Mosque is heavily damaged. The reports I've seen say that the insurgents reneged on the deal and started firing mortars on the Iraqi and US soldiers positioned outside and then we responded. Apparently al-Sadr isn't in the mosque and I have to wonder if his troops didn't feel sold out and opened up. Regardless, there is now another shaky ceasefire and supposedly the insurgents have laid down their arms according to the original agreement. As far as the power of the clerics, from what I've read about other countries in that area, they're incredibly powerful. They issue decrees that control every facet of life and it may be that al-Sadr and others like him are hoping to enforce a theocracy similar to the one found in other countries in the region. Not good if that is his intention. |
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