NYT buries the truth pretty far down in a misleading article called:
Iraqi Premier Steps Back on U.S. Troops Comment
By SABRINA TAVERNISE and JEFF ZELENY
Published: July 21, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/us/politics/21obama.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=sloginBut the interpreter for the interview works for Mr. Maliki’s office, not the magazine. And
in an audio recording of Mr. Maliki’s interview that Der Spiegel provided to The New York Times, Mr. Maliki seemed to state a clear affinity for Mr. Obama’s position, bringing it up on his own in an answer to a general question on troop presence.
The following is a
direct translation from the Arabic of Mr. Maliki’s comments by The Times:
"Obama’s remarks that — if he takes office — in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of the forces in Iraq."
He continued: "Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq."