Perhaps in anticipation of a drawdown in U.S. forces in Iraq, the Iraqi resistance (the "insurgency") is getting organized. In an interview with the Guardian in Damascus, Syria, the political spokesman of Ansar al-Sunna and the head of the political department of the 1920 Revolution Brigade "decided to speak to the western press for the first time as they prepare to launch a public face and a common political programme in anticipation of eventual American and British withdrawal from Iraq."

Seven of the most important Sunni-led armed organisations - excluding al-Qaida and the Ba'athists - have agreed to form a united front and have drawn up a series of demands to form the basis of future negotiations with the occupation forces.

They say that they do not get aid from Syria, that they rejected offers from Iran ("We do not trust Iran. We need help from Arab and other governments"), and "that there has been indirect contact with France about creating the conditions for a public office."

They reject Al Qaeda and sectarianism. "Our people have come to hate al-Qaida, which gives the impression to the outside world that the resistance in Iraq are terrorists. Suicide bombing is not the best way to fight because it kills innocent civilians. We are against indiscriminate killing - fighting should be concentrated only on the enemy." (The enemy, of course, is the U.S. occupation.)

But they say that it is necessary for the Sunni-based groups to ally with the Shia. ... All the Sunni-led resistance groups are acutely aware of the threat posed by sectarian division to the future of Iraq and emphasise their strong links to those Shia with fewer links to Iran (what they call Arab "national" Shia), but reject any suggestion of making common cause with the Shia militia and political parties - including the anti-American Mahdi Army. ...

While all seven of the armed groups joining the new front reject attacks on civilians, they have no qualms about brutal violence against Iraqi police and soldiers, or US and British troops. ... "Peaceful resistance will not end the occupation," states Abu Ahmad.

The plan is to hold a congress of the seven groups to announce the front's formation and then move towards the establishment of some form of public presence outside Iraq, though it is hard to see any state being prepared to risk the wrath of the US by hosting such an outfit. "It would need UN protection."

The aim is for the front to join other independent anti-occupation forces from across the country to negotiate with the Americans for their withdrawal. ... But ... "As long as foreign forces remain in Iraq, the Iraqi government will not be independent. And armed resistance will continue."