Words Vs. Actions In Iraq

Desperately searching for a silver lining to the sectarian violence plaguing Iraq, much of the traditional media is heralding statements of restraint from Iraqi religious leaders.

But these same leaders have constantly given statements that the Western media has found reassuring.

It's the actions that truly count.

This report in the New York Times shines a light on the brutal reality of the actions of the Shiite militias --- militias controlled by those same men being praised as calling for restraint.

Though many Shiite leaders denounced the anti-Sunni reprisals this week, none of them chastised the Mahdi Army or called for disbanding it.

The actions of the Iraqi police also failed to inspire hope.

The attacks, mostly by Shiite militiamen, were troubling not only because they resulted in at least 170 deaths across Iraq, but also because they showed how deeply the militias have spread inside government forces. The Iraqi police, commanded by a Shiite political party, stood by as the rampage spread.

In Iraq, the words are meaningless. It's the actions that have been speaking volumes.

So what's the plan for dealing with this massive problem?

On Friday, Mr. Khalilzad, speaking to reporters, did not lay out any American plan to deal with the militias, and simply said the problem would have to be solved by the four-year Iraqi government, which has yet to be formed.

In this last case, it is inaction that is doing the talking --- and what this inaction is saying is that U.S. forces are powerless to stop the sectarian militias.