Sovereign Power in Iraq

“Nobody is taking Sadr at his word,” [US national security advisor Condoleezza Rice said]. “He’s someone from whom you have to see action. He said lots of words before. He has never followed through on them. And I don’t think you’re going to see an Iraqi government that’s going to take his word.”
Sadr “can’t have a militia running the streets,” said Rice. “He can’t occupy the holiest shrine in Shiadom. He has to be dealt with and I’m quite certain he will be.”
–The United States is providing assistance to the government of Iraq.