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Iraq
Maliki rejects US troop withdrawal timetable
2007-04-11
TOKYO - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki on Tuesday rejected demands by the US Congress for a timetable to pull out US troops, saying the withdrawal should be based on the reality on the ground.
The Dhimmicrats will immediately dismiss him as irrelevant; after all, he's only the prime minister.
Maliki said his government was working to improve security to make it possible for US and other foreign troops to leave. “We see no need for a withdrawal timetable because we are working as fast as we can,” Maliki told a news conference on a visit to Tokyo. “We feel what will govern the departure of the multinational forces are the achievements and victories we manage to obtain on the ground and not a timetable,” he said.

Maliki insisted the troops would leave eventually. “The departure of the multinational forces is definite. There are no arguments on this issue,” Maliki said. “The international resolution authorised the Iraqi government to ask for the departure of the multinational forces when it feels that it can provide enough security for the country. We are progressing on the security issue continuously,” he said.

Maliki, a member of Iraq’s Shia majority who were oppressed under Saddam Hussein, blamed the media for only focusing on the daily violence in Iraq. “Maybe it is natural that the ugliness of blood will overshadow the elements of progress. But I can give you many examples of progress,” Maliki said. “We have a permanent constitution after living for decades with temporary constitutions and the entire country being subjected to the whims of a ruler. On the economic side, the monthly income of the average Iraqi has risen from two dollars to 200 dollars per month” since the 2003 invasion, he said.
It's unfortunate that GWB isn't saying all this as well, and repeatedly, and loudly.
“Following the collapse of the regime, all security collapsed with it, but now we can say we have a reliable army that has taken many recruits from the old army but added new blood to it.”
Posted by:Steve White

#13  ZenMan if it looks like a Sac du Gasse it usally is. Avoid.
Posted by: Shipman   2007-04-11 16:33  

#12  Yeah, why should we pay attention to the duely elected Prime Minister of a sovereign nation?

Maliki's release of Iranian agents, shutdown of control check points and other assorted actions have only served to increase American troop fatalities. That's where I draw the line. Democratically elected or not, the bastard is a terrorist facilitator and he is no better than the democratically elected turds known as Hamas.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-11 15:04  

#11  SOME folks might say, that Maliki being against a timetable, is like the NEA being against NCLB. I mean one of the few good arguments for a timetable (though it doesnt make sense for an unconditional timetable) is that its needed to get Maliki to do what needs to be done.

WHEN he has passed the oil deal and the debathification reform deal through the IRaqi parliament, and WHEN he has somewhat more openly turned away from Sadr and cleansed the Iraqi admin of Sadrists, THEN he will have a lot more credibility.

May that time come soon.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2007-04-11 14:04  

#10  I would ask for more. How about either Maliki or W saying, "A timetable for withdrawal is a plan for our defeat. Those who push this are working for the other side." And say it over and over and over again.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2007-04-11 13:12  

#9  Let's NOT cap his ass, Zen. That's the Diem solution, circa 1963, and look how well that turned out.

Mr. Maliki has more balls than most folks in Iraq. He's a walking target. He may not be the George Washington of his country, but he's the elected prime minister and he's who we'll deal with, good or bad, until their next election.

And good or bad, he understands completely that a timetable would be a disaster for his country. And said so. Publicly. I can't ask for much more.
Posted by: Steve White   2007-04-11 12:37  

#8  Maybe Rep. Henry Mr. Peepers Waxman will want to subpoena Maliki?
Posted by: doc   2007-04-11 11:02  

#7  "Maliki said his government was working to improve security to make it possible for US and other foreign troops to leave."

Yet a large chunk of Iraqis see Americans as occupiers who deserve to be attacked. What is his government doing to change that-for that matter, what are other Iraqi leaders or Arab leaders doing to change that? When the overall populace is keeping a spirit of violence alive in their hearts, mayhem can continue endlessly. Zenster is correct in that respect.
Posted by: Jules   2007-04-11 08:36  

#6  You a bad 'un Bobby.

:>
Posted by: Shipman   2007-04-11 08:12  

#5  Yeah, why should we pay attention to the duely elected Prime Minister of a sovereign nation?

Let's get someone in there who we can manipulate!

You sound like a Democrat, Zenster!

Oh, I'm sorry, that was uncalled for... and so rude
Posted by: Bobby   2007-04-11 07:05  

#4  Maliki is a self-fulfilling prophecy. This turd causes far more problems than he solves. His mere existence necessitates our continued presence in Iraq. Capping his traitorous ass would do everybody a huge favor.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-04-11 06:21  

#3  Maliki rejects US troop withdrawal timetable

lol, a Hoot on several levels. also proves that Mr. M has some horse sense.
Posted by: RD   2007-04-11 05:12  

#2  Maliki already has his 'get out' ticket stamped! Should the US pull out, he will seek asylum and leave in the last helicopter. He's been a 'good boy' and the US's compassion will keep him from swinging by a rope!
Posted by: smn   2007-04-11 04:43  

#1  Maliki wants to live.
Posted by: gromgoru   2007-04-11 04:08  

00:00