U.S. Warns Iraq That Progress Is Needed Soon

[cal04]

Source: MICHAEL R. GORDON

The top American military commander for the Middle East has warned Iraq’s prime minister in a closed-door conversation that the Iraqi government needs to make tangible political progress by next month to counter the growing tide of opposition to the war in Congress.

In a Sunday afternoon discussion that mixed gentle coaxing with a sober appraisal of politics in Baghdad and Washington, the commander, Adm. William J. Fallon, told Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki that the Iraqi government should aim to complete a law on the division of oil proceeds by next month.

Iraq’s Shiite dominated-government, Admiral Fallon added in the meeting, has consolidated power and should have the confidence to reach out to its opponents. “You have the power,” Admiral Fallon said. “You should take the initiative.” The admiral’s appeal, which was made in the presence of Ryan C. Crocker, the American ambassador to Iraq, a senior political adviser to the command and this reporter, elicited an assurance from Mr. Maliki that he hoped to make some progress over the coming weeks. But he also offered a lengthy account of all the tribulations facing the Iraqi government, including tenuous security, distrustful neighboring Sunni states and a complex legal agenda.

“There are lots of difficulties that are not well understood from outside,” Mr. Maliki said. “Still, we’re trying hard.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/world/middleeast/12military.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[uppityperson]

1. bwahahahahahahahahahahaha

not funny, I know, but what else can I say.

[Skittles]

2. it is pitiful

we completely f***ed up Iraq, gave them what they did not ask for, now we are demanding accountablity from them when we have never offered ANY accountability ourselves :puke:

[unkachuck]

3. let's see....

....Maliki basicly works for Iran....Iran wants us out of Iraq....if things get worse, we leave sooner....if things get better, we stay longer....

....hmmmm, Admiral, I'm not sure "You have the power" and "You should take the initiative" is going to work....

[arewenotdemo]

4. The thiefs sure do want that oil legislation finished, don't they?

Operation Iraq Liberation.

[Theduckno2]

8. Yep, the minute I saw the thread title, I knew it was about the oil law.

I am starting to believe that these are seen as idle threats, because I have to believe that if the U.S. pulled out of Iraq there might be a number of new players ready to jump in to help the Iraqis.

For the most part I think the Bush Administration and many in Congress are looking for a way to "pass the buck" on Iraq by finding a way to blame the Iraqis for the failure.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. ..or else, what???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pinto]

6. This is a great piece of first hand journalism. Rare, in this venue.

The recount is a good look at the disconnect, the political maneuvering and the competing interests not often mentioned. The last line is fairly telling:

'Waxing philosophic, Mr. Maliki suggested that building trust with Iraq’s neighbors would not be easy. “There are two mentalities in this region,” he said. “Conspiracy and mistrust.” '

[Amonester]

7. Question. Is Adm. William J. Fallon a war criminal?

"(...) commander, Adm. William J. Fallon, told Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki that the Iraqi government should aim to complete a law on the division of oil proceeds by next month."

Answer. Yes he is, IMHO.

Question. Does he know that he is a war criminal?

Answer. (?!?)

[cliss]

9. Secret for Mr. Al-Maliki:

Guess what? The commanders just told you what's gonna happen to them if you DON'T show some progress.

The American public will completely run out of patience.

WOW there's a motivator if I ever saw one.

[pinniped]

10. Those Iraqis better make progress soon or the US might threaten a pull out.

.

[MsLeopard]

11. Why don't they just

pass the law, and then issue a signing statement saying they will not abide by it. That's what democracy is, right?? :crazy:

[tabasco]

12. Please hurry up and make it "legal" for us to steal your oil !

The only thing that will enforce this quisling law will be the US military.

As soon as we get out, all of our puppets will be strung from lamp posts and all of their bogus "laws" will evaporate.

It is quite clear the Iraq war was nothing but an oil grab and anyone who denies it is either stupid, gullible, or working for the profiteers.

[Jacobin]

13. or else.......what?

:rofl:


:rofl: