Thursday, April 08, 2004

This AP story on developments in Iraq

is probably what you'll be seeing in your local paper in the morning. It looks like the Star-Tribune has printed it verbatim. Not that I'm criticizing them for it, I'm sure the Strib doesn't have the budget to keep any reporters over there.

And I haven't seen any other stories that weren't just parts of this one.

The WaPo's got a good editorial though. Ah, crud. It looks like the only way back is though Google News. Maybe it'll work. And now their linking a good original take:

Anti-U.S. Uprising Widens in Iraq; Marines Push Deeper Into Fallujah
Cleric's Force Tightens Grip In Holy Cities
By Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, April 8, 2004; Page A01

Important point:

Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, issued his first official comments about the violence Wednesday evening, condemning the U.S. approach to dealing with the Shiite uprising. In a written statement bearing his seal, Sistani called for both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution and "refrain from escalating steps that will lead to more chaos and bloodshed."

But across Baghdad, Sistani's moderate message appeared to have been drowned out by an increasingly vocal cry from mosque minarets for people to resist the occupation and to donate money and blood to help resistance fighters in Fallujah. In perhaps the clearest sign yet of the convergence of Sunni and Shiite uprisings, announcements from Shiite mosques called on people to help Sunnis in Fallujah, while residents of Sunni neighborhoods lauded Sadr and his followers.


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