Sadr Spokesman Blames Iraq P.M. For Talks Breakdown

NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 15 (AFP) - A spokesman for Shiite rebel leader Moqtada Sadr accused Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi Saturday of torpedoing efforts to end fighting in Najaf and warned against any "plot" to perpetrate a "massacre" in the holy city.
"We had agreed with (national security advisor Muaffaq) al-Rubaie on all points," Ali Smeisim told the Al-Jazeera satellite television station.
"Then interim prime minister Iyad Allawi ended it and called him back to Baghdad, and the American troops are now crawling on Najaf from two sides," he said.