President Obama to Iraq: "The United States pursues no claim on your territory or your resources."

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/WAT011067.htm

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Feb 27 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama told Iraq on Friday that the United States pursues no claim on its territory, seeking to reassure Iraqis concerned about a lengthy U.S. military presence there.

Obama used part of a speech announcing his plan to reduce the U.S. military forces in Iraq to talk directly to Iraqis.

"The United States pursues no claim on your territory or your resources. We respect your sovereignty and the tremendous sacrifices you have made for your country. We seek a full transition to Iraqi responsibility for the security of your country," he said. (Reporting by Steve Holland)

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Iraqis watch a live broadcast of the US President Barack Obama's speech in a shop in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. President Barack Obama on Friday fulfilled the defining promise of his campaign, announcing that all U.S. combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by August 2010.
(AP Photo / Karim Kadim)

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Iraqis watch a live broadcast of the US President Barack Obama's speech in Basra, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. President Barack Obama on Friday fulfilled the defining promise of his campaign, announcing that all U.S. combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by August 2010.
(AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)

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Iraqis watch a live broadcast of US President Barack Obama's speech in a shop in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. President Barack Obama on Friday fulfilled the defining promise of his campaign, announcing that all U.S. combat troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by August 2010.
(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

[ClarkUSA]

1. "President Barack Obama on Friday fulfilled the defining promise of his campaign" today

We are withdrawing with dignity.

[AyanEva]

3. I caught that too.

Love it! We're getting out, hopefully without making ourselves look any more douchebag-y than we already do.

[indepat]

15. Hopefully, this includes big oil not having any claim on Iraq's resources which raises

the question unanswered to my knowledge: what the fuck were we doing there in the first place if not for empire, hegemony, and resources (oil)? Please, someone help me on this one, 'cause I'm confused as hell. :D

[OKNancy]

2. I loved that part! n/t

[firedupdem]

4. That was just great! He makes me so proud! n/t

:patriot:

[BuyingThyme]

5. So if they nationalize their oil tomorrow, you're good with that?

I suspect not.

[cliffordu]

6. They already have mass contracts with the Chinese.

I don't care what they do with the oil.

[damonm]

7. If they do, they do...

Isn't it THEIR oil?

[Jennicut]

8. Yes and we need to stay out of their decisons if they are to be

a so called Democracy.

[BuyingThyme]

10. I think they SHOULD.

[WyLoochka]

12. Look - whether the oil

is sold through a "nationalized" company or mega corps makes no difference. It burns the same on the user end.

[BuyingThyme]

14. Yeah, but when contractors are taking 75% off the top, it's just a continued attack on the

people or Iraq.

[WyLoochka]

9. This is the most important part

It was obvious that Cheney etal were after the exact opposite - control/theft of Iraqi resources via a permanent, never ending occupation.

I am so glad he said this so clearly.

Maybe Obama can also make major strides in helping them deep six all those cockamamie "trickle down" laws and deregulations that were forced on them after the invasion, as he's doing here.

[LuckyTheDog]

11. WTF? No claim on their territory or resources? None at all?

Wow. We're the worst imperialists ever. :silly:

[ananda]

13. It s o u n d s to say that..

.. but it's eight years too late.

Huge corruption and exploitation has
already taken place, and it's not
going to stop either; it just won't
be unofficially sanctioned and called
something else.