Iraq must not isolate Sadr movement: deputy PM

By Dean Yates

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's government will pursue its war on militias but must avoid isolating the movement of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr or pushing his followers into the arms of groups bent on chaos, the deputy prime minister says.

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki launched an offensive against militias a month ago, sparking fighting with Sadr's Mehdi Army that has led to hundreds of deaths.

Some analysts say if the government pushes too hard -- including carrying out a threat to bar the Sadr movement from October elections unless the Mehdi Army is disbanded -- the cleric could launch a full-scale uprising.

Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said the government had to distinguish between Sadr's mass movement and so-called "special groups", which the U.S. military says are rogue Mehdi Army elements backed by Iran.

"This a major political challenge for us as a government, to avoid pushing the followers of the Sadr movement together with the special groups," Salih said in an interview this week.

"On the other hand, leaders of the Sadr movement must also help in distinguishing themselves and their followers from these bad elements who are trying to hijack their movement to use it as a cover for their malicious agenda."

The U.S. military accuses Shi'ite Iran of giving arms, funds and training to the "special groups". Iran denies the allegations.

Maliki says his crackdown is designed to disarm militias, but Sadr's followers see it as an attempt to sideline the movement before provincial elections on October 1.

Competing in local polls for the first time, the movement could do well at the expense of Shi'ite parties backing Maliki, especially because it provides food and services to poor Iraqis. A report by a U.S.-based relief group this month said the movement was now Iraq's main humanitarian organization.

MAJOR POLITICAL MOVEMENT

Salih defended Maliki, saying he was not going after Sadr.

"The law of the land says no militias. So any movement that has militias will be disqualified (from elections)," said Salih, a Kurd and one of the most respected members of the cabinet.

"The Sadr movement is an indigenous, major political movement of this country. Attempts at isolating them or excluding them will not serve Iraq's stability and prosperity. It is in our interest to have the Sadr movement as an integral part of the political process."

Salih said Maliki was "very serious" in his campaign against militias. He described the political backing for the prime minister's crackdown -- which has cut across sectarian and ethnic lines -- as unprecedented in Maliki's two-year rule.

Sadr launched two uprisings against U.S. forces in 2004, but then entered politics and backed Maliki's rise to power in 2006. Sadr split with Maliki a year ago, demanding a timetable for U.S. troops to leave, then abruptly declared a ceasefire in August that has barely survived the recent clashes.