The AP reports that Iraq’s Vice President, Tariq al-Hashimi, personally asked President Bush to set a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. forces the day before. Iraq’s President, Jalal Talabani, said he supported the request.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/14823067.htmTop Sunni asked Bush for pullout timeline
Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's vice president has asked President Bush for a timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq, the Iraqi president's office said.
Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni, made the request during his meeting with Bush on Tuesday, when the U.S. president made a surprise visit to Iraq.
"I supported him in this," President Jalal Talabani said in a statement released Wednesday. Al-Hashimi's representatives could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
Bush made it clear during his visit that the U.S. military presence - now at about 132,000 troops - would continue, though he stressed the fate of the Iraqis was in their own hands.<snip>