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Statement of Grand
Ayatollah Sayed Mohammad Taqi Almodarresi about
the recent escalation in violence in Iraq:
- Also see: "Quotes from the Western media"
below
"I warn all parties
against sliding into a more dangerous conflict, one that can certainly be
avoided if wisdom prevailed, otherwise it will be to the grave detriment of
all, including the Coalition forces.
At this juncture, the people in Iraq feel deep sense of frustration as they
see little signs of security or democracy. They increasingly question
whether the Coalition authorities intend indeed to hand-over sovereignty to
proper representatives of the people of Iraq, or merely to hand picked
personalities useful to the aims of the Coalition.
The CPA has so far
failed to demonstrate to the Iraqis that the invasion of their country was
indeed for the sake of their freedom, and not for oil or other strategic
interests in the region, including the security of Israel.
The Iraqi people have just come out of three hard wars and a long dark era
of oppression. Using the language of threats against them is totally
misguided, and wound only serve to wound an already injured pride and invite
more ominous cycles of violence.
For the sake of this country, as well as regional and international peace, I
call upon all parties to desist from the logic of war, to exercise caution
and better judgment at the political and tactical
levels, and to refrain from inflammatory threats, so that precious lives are
spared on all sides.
In particular, the Coalition authorities are called upon to:
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Suspend the State Interim Law, which revived old fears about
the long term motives of the coalition.
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Announce a near date
for elections under international supervision, so that sovereignty is
handed over to duly elected representatives of the people of
Iraq.
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Engage all principal factions active on the ground in the
ongoing political process, with no exclusion or preconditions.
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Integrate the
different militias in the ranks of the national armed forces tasked with
protecting the security and unity of the country. There is a precedent
for this in Afghanistan and in the north of Iraq.
I pray to God to lead all parties to the side of wisdom , and to guide us
all along the difficult route towards a free, just and prosperous Iraq,
and only God is sought for help.
Grand Religious Leadership,
Karbala,
Iraq"
Quotes from Western media
The Age, Melbourne, VIC, Australia:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/18/1082226627636.html
A senior Shi'ite
cleric warned yesterday that the standoff could deteriorate "into a war that
will have terrible effects ... a war that will not be in the interest of
anyone, especially coalition forces."
Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Taqi al-Modaresi, a moderate cleric, said that if
US forces move to capture Sadr, it would "incite strong anger" among Iraq's
majority Shi'ite majority.
Also reported by Kansas City Star, Kansas, MO,
USA
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/8456822.htm?1c
Also reported by Newsday, NY, USA
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-woiraq183763044apr18,0,3742578.story?coll=ny-worldnews-headlines
Also reported by Portsmouth Herald, USA
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/04182004/world/11387.htm
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