Скачать или смотреть Russian ambassador to Iraq meets radical cleric al Sadr

(13 Jun 2005)

1. Various Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Russian ambassador Vlidimir Chamov, sitting on floor and talking
2. Chamov presenting souvenir
3. Chamov and al-Sadr greeting each other
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic)
"The meeting was in the framework of creating contacts between the Russian embassy and the Iraqi parties and movements and we are pleased with the results of our talks,"
5. Chamov leaving
6. Sunni tribal chiefs sitting on floor
7. Moqtada talking with one of the delegation
8. Various of Moqtada meeting with Sunni tribal chiefs
9. Various Moqtada hugging chieftains after meeting
10. Various exterior of delegation leaving

STORYLINE:

The radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr met the Russia ambassador on Monday along with Sunni tribal chiefs from the insurgent hotbeds of Fallujah and Ramadi.

Both Russia and al-Sadr fiercely opposed the war in Iraq.

The meetings in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, south of the capital, seemed to be a sign of al-Sadr's desire to return to active politics.

Al-Sadr has been in isolation since last autumn following clashes between his militia, the Imam al-Mahdi Army, and U.S. troops.

In recent weeks he has been trying to mediate between an influential Sunni Arab association and a Shiite militia that have traded accusations of targeting each others' supporters and clerics.

Ambassador Vlidimir Chamov was making the first visit by a Russian envoy to al-Sadr's office since the U.S.-led war started in Iraq two years ago.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...