Will we match the Sadrist's goodwill?

Al-Sadr followers warn against arrests
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
16 June 2008
BAGHDAD - Followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr signaled Monday that they won't resist a military crackdown in one of their last southern strongholds unless government troops make arrests without warrants or commit other violations.

The article notes that Sadrist's have expressed support for "the imposing law operation."

"There is agreement among all the parties and blocs, including al-Sadr's office, on the necessity of imposing the law ... yet the rights of the citizens should be preserved while this operation is implemented," [The Sadrist governor of Maysan province, Adel] Mhodir added in a statement on the provincial government's Web site.

Now, with U.S. & Iraqi government forces act accordingly?

In the past we've taken advantage of al Sadr's compliance by targeting him and his militia. Let's hope we've learned that this is self-defeating!

Note: this being an Associated Press article, the headline naturally stresses the Sadrist's belligerence - they "warn against arrest". The headline paints a rather one-sided picture of the situation, and ignores that the real news is that Sadrists support the government's actions! This is typical of AP, which has consisently taken a pro-government view... almost always interviewing Iraqi government spokesmen when covering al Sadr & his movement; seldom bothering to seek or publicize the Sadrist view.