[WikiEN-l] Do 3RR rules favor the contributer or the deletionist?

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Wikien-l,
I have just been blocked for an alleged 3RR violation at Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda   
I thought the rules favored the contributor, since the first edit doesn't count as a revert, but in this case it appears the first edit is being counted as a revert so the deletionist is getting the final say.
While my first edit is adding text that I have previously proposed, it is two days later and to a new version of the article.  The text had previously been opposed but on unconvincing, rather spurious grounds that I have responded to in good faith on the talk page and in the edit summaries.  I think this article is heading for two versions because csloat is trying to rally a clique, but in the meantime I am curious about this technical issue of how edits/reverts are counted.  I would not have knowingly violated 3RR, apologies if I am wrong.
            -- thanx for your consideration,
                                           Silverback