The Mystery Sheik

When I wrote about meeting with an Iraqi who had some influence over the Iraqi Resistance, there was a loud outcry in some quarters. "Who was this Sheik," they wondered. "What was his agenda? Why aren't they saying more?"

Some said I was meeting with terrorists.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I did, however, meet with a man who supports resistance against foreign occupiers in his country, a point that prompted David Postman, of the Seattle Times, to create the headline "Demo presidential candidate meets with Iraqi insurgent leader."

Postman is correct, but those who say I met with a terrorist are incorrect.

Sheik Hareth al-Dhari

The man I met with, Sheik Hareth al-Dhari, is possibly the most influential figure in Iraqi society and culture -- even when he's out of Iraq. He is seen as a leader of enduring stature, personally and institutionally, and enjoys high popular approval in Iraq's Sunni community.

Al-Dhari has been instrumental in negotiations to free hostages of several nationalities, including China, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Almost every faction seeks his support, cooperation, or neutrality in almost every significant move they make.

Almost universally, Dr. al-Dhari is seen as the "go-to" person for every faction looking to strike a deal, including the U.S. government.

Before the general elections, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, made overtures to Al-Dhari and other members of the Muslim Clerics Association, attempting to persuade them to participate in the elections.

It was reported that al-Dhari might reconsider his stance if two conditions were met. A senior member of the MCA, speaking for al-Dhari, said:

"We have made it clear that a timeline for the withdrawal of US troops must be put forward and that Falluja residents
should be compensated for the destruction that has been inflicted on their city."

When I spoke with the Sheik, he made it very clear that he supports the Iraqi nationalists who want to regain control of their country, but he condemns terrorist acts perpetrated by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, as do many insurgents or resistors. In fact, people who are in contact with the Resistance tell me over and over that were it not for the American occupation they would go after other groups perpetrating violence in Iraq rather than going after the Americans -- and it appears they may be willing to start doing so soon, at least on some level.

Today, the media reported that some Sunni insurgent / Resistance groups were being armed by the U.S military.

Does this mean we are arming the terrorists?

Of course not.

There Is a Difference

It means we have recognized that Iraqis who love their country, who are on the ground with inroads to various other groups, can offer key information and effect changes that coalition "occupiers" cannot.

But this is not a novel idea.

Earlier this year, as Zalmay Khalilzad was leaving his ambassadorial post, he said that the U.S. Embassy and military personnel as well as Iraqi government officials had "...talked to groups who have not participated in the political process who have ties with some of the insurgent groups who are reconcilable insurgents... groups that resisted the democratic change, the change in Iraq."

Al-Dhari Today

President Maliki issued a warrant for al-Dhari's arrest at the end of last year saying it was issued because al-Dhari "incited violence." Some suggest his son commands a terror group.

Time magazine reported that "Both al-Daris deny direct connection with the Brigades, but say Sunni insurgent groups are part of a legitimate, nationalist resistance to occupation."

Some have said that al-Dhari did support some insurgency tactics, "citing precedents from Islamic history," that raise alarm.

Diane Perlman, a clinical and political psychologist in the Washington, DC area says we should not be surprised at that.

People behave in somewhat predictable ways to the situation they are in with the means and resources they have. Under situations of oppression, occupation, domination, blocking of freedom, self-determination, fear, humiliation, trauma, people -- including ourselves -- behave in ways that attempt to re-establish safety and basic human needs and rights. Many who try nonviolent approaches may be eventually pulled into violence. These behaviors do not come out of no where; they are understandable."

In a future blog, I'll recount a conversation about the differences between the Resistance and terrorism.