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Iraq
Al-Maliki Says Iraqis Will Be Ready To Take Over By June
2006-12-01
(AHN) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki says his country's armed forces will be ready to take control of security, nationwide, by June 2007. During a meeting with U.S. President George Bush in Amman, Jordan, al-Maliki says, "I can say that Iraqi forces will be ready, fully ready to receive this command and to command its own forces, and I can tell you that by next June our forces will be ready." The pair issued a joint statement saying, "We agreed that reform of the Iraqi security ministries and agencies and addressing the issue of militias should be accelerated."

"The ultimate solution to stabilizing Iraq and reducing violence is true national reconciliation and capable and loyal Iraqi forces dedicated to protecting all the Iraqi people."

President Bush adds, "[al-Maliki is] the right guy for Iraq, and we're going to help him; and it's in our interest to help him for the sake of peace."
Posted by:Fred

#6  My guess is that the Bush Administration may pull the troops out no later than six months prior to the 2008 elections! Any later and "W" will subject the stay to the political process again, and the American people will surely let the 'other shoe drop' (ie, giving the government [Presidency] over to the Democrats totally), or in case of Joe Lieberman; an Independent President!
Posted by: smn   2006-12-01 13:59  

#5  Cynicism aside (wait, isn't this Rantburg), he might just be right. We've been making a serious effort for the past two years to upgrade the Iraqi army. They're in no way ready to behave like a Western army, but they might well be good enough to take on security in Iraq. They'll need us for logistics, air cover, advice and command control coordination, but they might be good enough.

Especially in provinces with Shi'a majorities. If in June al-Maliki can say, "we can take over in 14 provinces" out of the 18, that's going to be seen (even after deducting the NYT doom and gloom slant) as good news. Hurrah! They're 80% of the way there.

And notice he didn't say anything about the Interior Ministry police.
Posted by: Steve White   2006-12-01 10:59  

#4  Perhaps you're referring to the other guy, the one who actually acted like an Iraqi PM - Allawi.
Posted by: .com   2006-12-01 08:01  

#3  It seems like this guy fears for his life. Didn't he lose some family member(s) due to all of this?
Posted by: gorb   2006-12-01 05:23  

#2  Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

for what its worth LOL, I have 0 faith this Iraqi will reign in Sadr/Mahdi Army or even the Badr Brigade let alone unify Iraq.

only DEEDS can make a difference now.
Posted by: RD   2006-12-01 05:10  

#1  The check is in the mail.
Posted by: gromgoru   2006-12-01 02:01  

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