Muqtada al-Sadr Denounces Bush

The USG Open Source Center translates a statement by Shiite clergyman Muqtada al-Sadr condemning Bush’s Middle East tour.

“Iraq: Muqtada al-Sadr Statement Condemns President Bush’s Mideast Visit
Iraq – OSC Summary
Monday, January 14, 2008 . . .

Al-Amarah

Militant Al-Amarah News Network in Arabic — website associated with the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, url: http:// al3marh.net/ news/, on 12 January 2008 was observed to post a statement by Al-Sayyid Muqatada al-Sadr titled: “His Eminence Al-Sayyid Issues a Statement denouncing and condemning in it the visit by the leader of US evil, Bush, to the Middle East.” The following is text of the statement:

Since the United States put its stamp on the Middle East and came with its plan, which it called “democracy”, the Islamic and non-Islamic peoples have been suffering from a situation that is deteriorating from bad to worse: Poverty is spreading, unemployment is rife, ignorance is prevailing, enmity and hatred are common, and environmental pollution is increasing day after day.

We wonder, will visit by the leader of evil (Bush) to the Middle East be a lever lifting the sufferings of others. No and a thousand no. It came to impose US domination and hegemony on the rest of the states so that their fate will be the same as the fate of others before them.

While we denounce and condemn this visit, which will only spread corruption and wars, we tell him: You brought us wars, and the bringer of war cannot bring peace and the bearer of corruption cannot spread wellbeing. Go away with your freedom and spread it among your own people, who suffer from your suppression. Spread peace among your own people who suffer from fear and hatred of others due to you. Get out of our land and it will be safe.

I also address myself to the Arab rulers and say: Don’t forget your people’s blood, which is being spilled by the armies of darkness under their leader (Bush). Do not be partners in spilling your people’s blood. If you accepted his visit to you and you received him here, this would mean your cooperation with him in spilling the blood of your brothers in Palestine, Iraq, and many other countries. If your thrones cannot continue except by receiving him, then they are not important. It is the people who come first after God. Do not be unfair to your people so that you will be one hand to put an end to US influence; in fact, the ominous troika (al-thaluth al-mash’um) from our land so that we can preserve our people, religion, and territories from the filth of the West and its thoughts.

(Signed) Muqtada al-Sadr, issued on 29 Dhi al-Hijjah 1428 Hijiri “