Economist's View
July 19, 2008
"Iraq Leader Maliki Supports Obama's Withdrawal Plans"
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki doesn't say so directly, well not quite, but he makes it clear that he thinks Barack Obama's plans for Iraq are superior to John McCain's:
Iraq Leader Maliki Supports Obama's Withdrawal Plans, Speigel: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports US presidential candidate Barack Obama's plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked in and interview with Speigel when he thinks US troops should leave Iraq, Maliki responded "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." He then continued: "US presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."
Maliki was careful to back away from outright support for Obama. "Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business," he said. But then, apparently referring to Republican candidate John McCain's more open-ended Iraq policy, Maliki said: "Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems." ...
Maliki has long shown impatience with the open-ended presence of US troops in Iraq. In his conversation with Speigel, he was once again candid about his frustration over the Bush administration's hesitancy about agreeing to a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops. But he did say he was optimistic that such a schedule would be drawn up before Bush leaves the White House next January...
"So far the Americans have had trouble agreeing to a concrete timetable for withdrawal, because they feel it would appear tantamount to an admission of defeat," Maliki told Speigel. "But that isn't the case at all. If we come to an agreement, it is not evidence of a defeat, but of a victory, of a severe blow we have inflicted on al-Qaida and the militias."
He also bemoaned the fact that Baghdad has little control over the US troops in Iraq. "It is a fundamental problem for us that it should not be possible, in my country, to prosecute offences or crimes committed by US soldiers against our population," Maliki said.
Is there any possible way we could just go ahead and make Senator Obama Secretary of State until he's elected President.
I mean come on he's leading the way anyway. Talk with our adversaries... Obama has been saying it forever... now finally Bush is trying it.
Set a reasonable and safe timetable for withdraw from Iraq and let the Iraqis take responsibility for running their own country. Save American lives and multi-billions of dollars and focus on the real terrorists in Afghanistan & Pakistan. Senator Obama has led the way here also...
Now that the dully elected Iraqi government is totally on board with Senator Obama's plan how long until Bush signs on in a feeble attempt to show at least a glimmer of smarts on his way out the door? I'm half expecting it... it's about time!
July 19, 2008
"Iraq Leader Maliki Supports Obama's Withdrawal Plans"
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki doesn't say so directly, well not quite, but he makes it clear that he thinks Barack Obama's plans for Iraq are superior to John McCain's:
Iraq Leader Maliki Supports Obama's Withdrawal Plans, Speigel: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports US presidential candidate Barack Obama's plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked in and interview with Speigel when he thinks US troops should leave Iraq, Maliki responded "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." He then continued: "US presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."
Maliki was careful to back away from outright support for Obama. "Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business," he said. But then, apparently referring to Republican candidate John McCain's more open-ended Iraq policy, Maliki said: "Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems." ...
Maliki has long shown impatience with the open-ended presence of US troops in Iraq. In his conversation with Speigel, he was once again candid about his frustration over the Bush administration's hesitancy about agreeing to a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops. But he did say he was optimistic that such a schedule would be drawn up before Bush leaves the White House next January...
"So far the Americans have had trouble agreeing to a concrete timetable for withdrawal, because they feel it would appear tantamount to an admission of defeat," Maliki told Speigel. "But that isn't the case at all. If we come to an agreement, it is not evidence of a defeat, but of a victory, of a severe blow we have inflicted on al-Qaida and the militias."
He also bemoaned the fact that Baghdad has little control over the US troops in Iraq. "It is a fundamental problem for us that it should not be possible, in my country, to prosecute offences or crimes committed by US soldiers against our population," Maliki said.
Is there any possible way we could just go ahead and make Senator Obama Secretary of State until he's elected President.
I mean come on he's leading the way anyway. Talk with our adversaries... Obama has been saying it forever... now finally Bush is trying it.
Set a reasonable and safe timetable for withdraw from Iraq and let the Iraqis take responsibility for running their own country. Save American lives and multi-billions of dollars and focus on the real terrorists in Afghanistan & Pakistan. Senator Obama has led the way here also...
Now that the dully elected Iraqi government is totally on board with Senator Obama's plan how long until Bush signs on in a feeble attempt to show at least a glimmer of smarts on his way out the door? I'm half expecting it... it's about time!
