Bush's puppet Iraq government backs Bush troop escalation plan

[NNN0LHI]

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=UKNews1&storyID=2007-01-09T124434Z_01_PAR829103_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ.xml&WTmodLoc=HP-C1-TopStories-6

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iraqi government would welcome an increase in U.S. troop numbers in Baghdad expected to be announced on Wednesday by President George W. Bush, the government spokesman said on Tuesday.

As U.S. and Iraqi forces clashed with gunmen in central Baghdad, Ali al-Dabbagh said in the first official comment by the government on the expected U.S. move that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki welcomed Bush's new strategy on Iraq.

"The Iraqi government does not object to an increase in coalition forces. The Iraqi government supports this trend," Dabbagh told a news conference.

Not far from the heavily fortified Green Zone compound where Dabbagh spoke, U.S. and Iraqi forces battled insurgents in Haifa Street, a stronghold of the Sunni Arab insurgency.

U.S. fighter jets screamed over the city with unusual intensity and military helicopters were seen hovering above Haifa Street, witnesses said.

[magellan]

1. Of course they do

Wouldn't want to lose their cushy jobs in the security of the Green Zone, now, would they?

[rodeodance]

2. Malake ASKED for the troops while bush was in Jordon!!