Richard Tafoya
Nov 21st, 2008, 09:05 AM
AP:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/21/bush-effigy-burned-in-ant_n_145436.html
Thousands of followers of a radical Shiite cleric protested a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security deal Friday, burning an effigy of President George W. Bush in the same square where Iraqis beat a toppled Saddam Hussein statue five years ago.
Chanting and waving flags, Muqtada al-Sadr's followers filled Firdous Square to protest the pact that would allow American troops to stay for three more years.
The demonstration followed two days of protests in parliament by al-Sadr loyalists who disrupted readings of the proposed agreement ahead of a debate and vote.
Despite the opposition at least three small parliamentary factions, the pact is expected to pass in the Shiite-led parliament when it comes up for a vote next week.
Al-Sadr, who controls a group of 30 lawmakers in the 275-seat parliament, views the deal as a surrender to U.S. interests. But supporters say the pact will eventually lead to full sovereignty.
If al-Sadr's group and other legislators opposed to the pact lose by a thin margin, they might attempt to turn their anti-American message into a defining issue in provincial elections on Jan. 31 and general elections late in 2009.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/21/bush-effigy-burned-in-ant_n_145436.html
Thousands of followers of a radical Shiite cleric protested a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security deal Friday, burning an effigy of President George W. Bush in the same square where Iraqis beat a toppled Saddam Hussein statue five years ago.
Chanting and waving flags, Muqtada al-Sadr's followers filled Firdous Square to protest the pact that would allow American troops to stay for three more years.
The demonstration followed two days of protests in parliament by al-Sadr loyalists who disrupted readings of the proposed agreement ahead of a debate and vote.
Despite the opposition at least three small parliamentary factions, the pact is expected to pass in the Shiite-led parliament when it comes up for a vote next week.
Al-Sadr, who controls a group of 30 lawmakers in the 275-seat parliament, views the deal as a surrender to U.S. interests. But supporters say the pact will eventually lead to full sovereignty.
If al-Sadr's group and other legislators opposed to the pact lose by a thin margin, they might attempt to turn their anti-American message into a defining issue in provincial elections on Jan. 31 and general elections late in 2009.