Maliki smacks down Rice; sets conditions for withdrawal timetable

[ProSense]

Maliki Stresses Urgency In Arming Iraqi Forces

Need for U.S. Troops Could Drop 'Dramatically'

By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, January 18, 2007; A01

Snip...

The head of Iraq's Shiite Muslim-led government defended his country's independence and sovereignty and called on U.S. leaders to show faith in his ability to lead.

Maliki disputed President Bush's remarks broadcast Tuesday that the execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein "looked like it was kind of a revenge killing" and took exception to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's Senate testimony last week that Maliki's administration was on "borrowed time."

The prime minister said statements such as Rice's "give morale boosts for the terrorists and push them toward making an extra effort and making them believe they have defeated the American administration," Maliki said. "But I can tell you that they have not defeated the Iraqi government."

Snip...

"If we succeed in implementing the agreement between us to speed up the equipping and providing weapons to our military forces, I think that within three to six months our need for the American troops will dramatically go down. That's on the condition that there are real strong efforts to support our military forces and equipping them and arming them," Maliki said.

more...

January 18, 2007

Maliki borrows a page from Karl Rove’s playbook

Posted 9:45 am | Printer Friendly | Spotlight

Snip...

It’s hard not to appreciate the irony of it all. When members of Congress, from both parties, criticize the president’s handling of the war, White House officials suggest that lawmakers are undermining the mission and emboldening terrorists. But when the Bush gang criticizes Maliki, and suggests he’s not doing enough to step up and lead, he argues that the White House is undermining the mission and emboldening terrorists.

Indeed, at yesterday’s press briefing, Tony Snow renewed the treason talk: “It’s probably worth asking, what message does Congress intend to give, and who does it think the audience is? Is the audience merely the President? Is it the voting American public? Or in an age of instant communication, is it also al Qaeda? Is it Iraq? Is it players in Iraq? Is it U.S. troops? Is it people in the Gulf who want to understand whether the United States is, in fact, a partner upon whom they can depend for security even in trying times?”

Given Maliki’s comments, it sounds like all of this could be turned around just as easily on the Bush gang. The Bush administration has said it has no confidence in Maliki, describes him as “ignorant” and deceptive, and Bush has personally suggested he might fire him. Who’s the audience for these remarks? What message does that send to terrorists who wonder whether the United States will stand by their man? What does it tell the troops fighting to help preserve Maliki’s government? What does it tell the region about our nation’s commitment to our friends?

See, Mr. Snow, demagoguery is fun for the whole family.

Snip...

Hey look, it’s an exit strategy. Maliki said if we “speed up the equipping and providing weapons to our military forces,” we can start withdrawing U.S. forces within three to six months. To which I say, “Deal.” Give him the keys to armory, let him fill his shopping cart, and don’t wait for the ink on the withdrawal plan to dry.

[AndyA]

1. I love it when this misadministration's policies and actions come back to bite them on the butt!

It's happening more frequently these days.

I agree, though. Let's equip the Iraqi military with whatever they need, so that our troops can be home this summer. There will be lots to keep up with by then, no doubt some of the Dem-led Congress' investigations will have revealed more Bush dirt.

LET IMPEACHMENT BEGIN! Keep Bush busy defending himself so he can't start any more wars!!

[Just-plain-Kathy]

3. I'd rather go after Bush and Cheney with treason....

Hang 'em high!!!

[AndyA]

7. Hey, that works for me as well!

Anything that will handicap them from causing more damage. What a disgrace those two are. And the rest of their creepy gang.

[asjr]

8. But this administration is either too dumb or

to arrogant to realize there is a chunk missing from their collective butt. They still do what they want to do and no one seems to be stopping them. Their robot, Gonzales seems to be stalling on all questions he has been asked in the hearings. The whole world knows the USA has fallen from being the most powerful and respected country to the lowest rung on the ladder. I keep hoping some Republican will finally be patriotic and go to Shrub and try to force him to resign his pupptet dictatorship. And take the puppet-master Cheney with him. It will take us years and years to recover.

[Imagevision]

13. Trump nailed Rice when saying; "Condi spends a lot of time talkng but she get's nothing done"!

nothing accomplished! Can it be the middle east doesn't take a liking to women in general?!!

[wisteria]

2. Maliki is being made a scapegoat and he knows it, so he is fighting back.

It is nice to see the Rove antics turned around on them. I wonder what response the White House will have to Maliki's comments.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. They don't want us there? Well fine, let's get out.

What's the delay?

[madrchsod]

5. he wants to stay alive

it`s pretty dam simple- if he agrees with bush he`s a dead man walking so he`s trying to save his and his family's life
by distancing himself from bush....would`t you?

[soothsayer]

6. i do distance myself from bush!

[ProSense]

9. Whatever happened to respecting Iraq's sovereignty? Guess that was spin. n/t

[Disturbed]

11. Iraq has a Parliamentery System.

His party can vote to remove him. Busholini cannot remove him. He could be assasinated by the CIA &/or Mercs though.

[MasonJar]

10. The Liebermans and McCains and the Darths say the dems are

aiding the enemy, but the man closest to the action says it is Bush and his minions. You just have to love it! Bow if only the MSM would let the people know what he said.

[Imagevision]

12. al Malaki stated on 9/2006 that the Americans can leave by the end of 2007...

and today Bush hints al Malaki is living on borrowed time?!!

[blm]

14. I think Malaki and Iraqi parliament would have voted FOR Kerry-Feingold withdrawal bill

last June if they had a vote.

[tblue37]

15. He wants more arms to conduct genocide against the Sunnis.

(BTW, keep in mind that Riverbend is Sunni.)

[ProSense]

16. Talabani is

Sunni:

In the interview, Talabani said Iraqi troops are prepared to assume control of security in several cities throughout southern, central and northern Iraq, despite continued violence, suicide bombings and killings. Many military experts predict a spike in insurgent attacks ahead of next month's vote.

Talabani said the number of "well-trained" Iraqi security forces stood at 60,000 and would reach 100,000 by the end of the year. All told, there about 190,000 Iraqis enlisted in the military or local security forces. "Some are well-trained, some are not so well-trained," he said. Iraqi troops have light arms, but he said they need 50 tanks and automatic weapons.