Friday, 3 June 2005 - 6:36 PM

6/3/2005 Iraqi Sunni-Shiite negotiations "progressing positively", says Sadr
Iraq-Conflict-Sadr
Najaf (dpa) - Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said Friday that
negotiations he is mediating between Sunni and Shiite leaders are
progressing positively, adding that a resolution would be announced
soon.

The negotiations are still ongoing but there is positive
progress. We are confident the issue will be resolved soon, Sadr
told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Sadr is mediating talks between senior figures from the Sunni
Association of Moslem Scholars (AMS) and the Shiite Badr Brigades -
the militia of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq
(SCIRI).

Tensions between the two powerful Sunni and Shiite groups had
increased following the killing of several Sunni and Shiite clerics
in May.

Two weeks ago, AMS leader Sheikh Harith al-Dari accused the Badr
Brigades of responsibility for the killing of Sunni clerics, a claim
denied by Badr Brigade officials.

Observers say the escalation of Sunni-Shiite tension is a
dangerous development that could lead to sectarian clashes among
Iraqis.

Sadr also urged the Iraqi government not to accuse Iraqi Sunnis of
responsibility for terrorist attacks in the country.

The Iraqi government needs to include all factions of the Iraqi
people and fight the sectarianism that the American occupation is
trying to implant in Iraq, the Shiite cleric said.

Sadr added that Iraqi Sunnis are honourable people ... who are
concerned about the unity of their country.