Reply #10: Story from 2003 [View All]

[greyl]

The Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq is among several Iraqi opposition groups recognized by the Bush administration for inclusion in discussions about Iraq's future, even though some in the administration regard the group with deep suspicion because of its close ties with the Iranian government. The group's Badr Brigade, a force of about 10,000 men, received training and support from the Iranian government, American officials say.

Nevertheless, the group has declined two American invitations to participate in sessions intended to lead to the formation of an interim government. Hamid al-Bayati, the group's representative in London, said in a telephone interview today that the organization would not send an emissary to the next meeting, to be held in Baghdad on Saturday, because it mistrusted the American sponsorship role.

"If they are talking about democracy, they should leave the Iraqi people to organize themselves," Mr. Bayati said.

Ayatollah Hakim, from his base in Iran, called on Shiites last week to converge on the holy city of Karbala as part of the pilgrimage "to oppose a U.S.-led interim administration and defend Iraq's independence."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F3081FFD355E0C708EDDAD0894DB404482