Rare criticism from Baghdad against President Bush

I find you amusing and that is an emotion. As for my take, I am spot on.

We should have gone in with a well thought out plan and implemented Martial law and shut down the borders but we didn't and we now have the mess we have in the Triangle.

Since you are so smart, contact the Generals and tell them what they should do.

Clearly Maliki and his cronies as well as associates removed a bit by party affiliations/splits, are all a bunch of screw ups when it comes to taking a firm control of the whole situation.
Since Bremer entered the scene, their attempts(?) at finding good leadership has waned. Those few that probably could somehow with a strong hand but fairness (to all give/take), such as Allawi are keeped out of the key circuit.
But I say nothing most of us are not keenly aware of.
However. A few months back, e.g. November, I had commented on a few posts, that we must give them time. If they start to perform (benchmarks and making it clear the militias had to go one way or another), then perhaps in the next few months we might start seeing some progress.
It now appears reasonable to assume the IG has embraced the idea there is no way out but to disband the militias either by force or verifiable agreements.
Of course the IG for the most part are in unison with the Coalition as far as removing remenant al Qaeda and some Sunni derived trouble makers.
Perhaps he is posturing at this point to make it look like the IG is gong ho, and ready to do battle with their enemies. Therefore feels encumbant to use strong talk.
Maliki if he has been really keeped abreast of this new army and police must understand they are not yet ready to assume heavy mobile armored divisions and take over.
They are mostly reliant on us to supply aging vehicles and mobile weapons. If he really expects us to give him all the stuff sitting around while our guys are left without their primary systems, then he must be a bit niave.

I agree with you totally, we know who the enemy is - it's the ENEMEDIA - and we can read through the spin.

In no way do I read his statements as being critical of President Bush, that's just what the leftwing 'journalists WANT us to think...

When Maliki says Iraq would benefit from strong messages of support from the United States he's referring to criticism from traitors in the GOP, the RATS and the MSM. In that context, his remarks make sense.

Maliki calls for more US arms for Iraqi army

Thu Jan 18, 6:07 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - The United States could dramatically and quickly cut its troop presence in Iraq if it provided enough weapons to the country's security forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said.

Maliki called for greater US support for Iraqi troops in an interview with a group of foreign correspondents in Baghdad. Several newspapers, including the Times of London, the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times reported his comments Thursday.

Maliki said the Iraqi insurgency was more violent and longer than it should have been because the United States refused to give more arms. He also rejected claims that his government was on "borrowed time" as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said.

"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 American troops will dramatically go down," Maliki was quoted as saying by the newspapers.

"That is on condition that there are real, strong efforts to support our military forces and equipping and arming them," he added.

The United States has held back from supplying the Iraqi army with large quantities of weapons because some have ended up in the hands of militias and insurgents. A Maliki aide was quoted as saying that Iraqi forces particularly wanted "heavy" weapons.

Maliki also fired back at Rice's testimony to a congressional panel on January 11, saying that his government is "in a sense, on borrowed time".

"Certain officials are going through a crisis. Secretary Rice is expressing her own point of view if she thinks that the government is on borrowed time, whether it is borrowed time for the Iraqi government or the American administration," the prime minister was quoted as saying.

"I don't think we are on borrowed time."

The prime minister added that he believed such messages from US government officials helped militants within Iraq.

"I wish that we could receive strong messages of support from the US so we don't give some boost to the terrorists and make them feel that they might have achieved success.

"I believe that such statements give moral boosts to the terrorists and push them towards making an extra effort and making them believe that they have defeated the American administration, but I can tell you that they haven't defeated the Iraqi government."

Maliki's government has had sometimes tense relations with the United States, evidenced by his lukewarm endorsement for President George W. Bush's new plan for Iraq, which includes sending more US troops.

The prime minister again defended the execution of former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, and two of his aides, though he acknowledged that Iraqi authorities had made "mistakes".

Saddam "was not subjected to any act of revenge, any physical attack, and it was a judicial process that ended with him being sentenced to death according to Iraqi law," Maliki said.

The prime minister also dismissed accusations that the Baghdad government was being lenient with Shiite militias, telling the reporters that 400 members of the Mahdi Army had been arrested in recent days.

Maliki promised to crack down on Shiite Muslim militias, including forces loyal to radical Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and Sunni Arab insurgents.

"We will not allow any politicians to interfere with this Baghdad security plan ... whether they are Sunnis or Shiites, Arabs or Kurds, militias or parties, insurgents or terrorists," Maliki was quoted as saying.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070118/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqmilitarypolitics_070118110714

US rejects Maliki rift claims

by Laurent Lozano

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States moved to smother new signs of a rift with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, after he complained Washington's failure to better arm his soldiers had cost lives.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meanwhile said she was "sorry" if Maliki was offended by her comment that his government, a vital cog in President George W. Bush's last-ditch bid to pacify Baghdad, was on "borrowed time."

Fresh indications of simmering resentments between the two governments surfaced in a candid interview by Maliki with foreign reporters in Baghdad.

He said the United States could dramatically cut troop numbers in Iraq if it offered sufficient weapons to Iraqi forces, and warned remarks like those of Rice "give moral boosts" to extremists.

The White House however expressed confidence in the Iraqi leader and rejected suggestions his comments in newspapers including the Times of London, the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, were a rebuke to Washington.

"I dispute the characterization that he was very critical of the president," White House spokesman Tony Snow said, highlighting Maliki's announcement that Iraqi forces had captured 400 members of the radical Mahdi Army militia.

"The president is absolutely resolute and steadfast in his support of this government. I don't think that there's any distance when it comes to key issues," Snow said.

Maliki was also reported as saying by several of the newspapers that the insurgency had been longer and more violent than necessary because Washington had refused to sufficiently arm Iraqi forces.

He added that a quicker program to equip Iraq forces could ease the burden on US troops.

"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 American troops will dramatically go down," he said.

The United States has been wary of providing large quantities of weapons because some have ended up in the hands of militias and insurgents. A Maliki aide was quoted as saying Iraqi forces particularly wanted "heavy" weapons.

Snow also disputed the idea that a widening rift between Bush and Maliki had been revealed by the US president's most strident remarks yet on the chaotic execution of Saddam Hussein.

Bush said in an interview Tuesday that the manner of the hanging was reminiscent of a "revenge killing."

"There's just a disagreement between the two of them on that," Snow said.

Maliki also rounded on Rice's warning last week in a congressional hearing that though she believed he was resolute, his government was, "in a sense, on borrowed time."

"I don't think we are on borrowed time," Maliki said.

Rice attempted to smooth over the affair in London, on the latest leg of her tour of Middle Eastern and European capitals.

"I am sorry if he took offense. I did not mean any offense," she said, putting the episode down to translation problems.

"What was intended to be said there is, look there is a sense of urgency there and he understands the urgency," Rice said.

Snow earlier appeared to distance the White House from Rice's comment, telling reporters, "you certainly haven't heard statements like that from this podium, nor have you heard them from the president."

Signs of US government impatience with the Iraqi premier have mounted for months, culminating in an explosive memo by national security adviser Stephen Hadley leaked just before Bush and Maliki met in Jordan in November.

"The reality on the streets of Baghdad suggests Maliki is either ignorant of what is going on, misrepresenting his intentions or that his capabilities are not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into action," part of the memo, published in The New York Times, said.

Maliki waited three days before responding to Bush's high-profile announcement of a new plan for Iraq last week with somewhat lukewarm comments.

Bush aides, however, said Maliki had already publicly endorsed much of Bush's new approach, in a speech made days before the US plan was unveiled.

US rejects Maliki rift claims

MALIKI FRIES RICE
LASHES OUT AT CONDI COMMENTS

By ANDY SOLTIS
SCHISM:Condoleezza Rice has been accused of misstating...

January 18, 2007 -- Iraq's prime minister charged yesterday that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is undergoing a "crisis" and misstating Washington's attitude toward his regime.

Nouri al-Maliki told The Times of London that Rice was wrong when she told a congressional hearing last week that his government is, "in a sense, on borrowed time."

"Certain officials are going through a crisis," Maliki retorted.

"Secretary Rice is expressing her own point of view if she thinks that the government is on borrowed time, whether it is borrowed time for the Iraqi government or the American administration.

"I don't think we are on borrowed time." Maliki also said the United States can "dramatically" reduce its troop size in Iraq if it provides his army with the necessary weapons.

The failure to supply sufficient guns and equipment has cost a large numbers of lives, he said.

"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 American troops will drastically go down," he said.

White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe acknowledged that some of Maliki's points were "valid" and that the equipping of his security forces would be sped up.

Also yesterday Maliki met with foreign diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador, to strengthen support for another planned security operation. He pledged to act equally against all gunmen, regardless of sect.

Maliki told the paper that 400 members of the Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr had been arrested in recent days. This showed that the PM wasn't being "lenient" with Shiite militias, he said.

Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have suggested Maliki could lose his job if he doesn't reduce the bloodshed between Sunnis and Shiites. But Maliki implied such criticism only helps fuel terrorism.

"I wish that we could receive strong messages of support from the U.S. so we don't give some boost to the terrorists and make them feel that they might have achieved success," he said.

"I believe that such statements give moral boosts to the terrorists and push them toward making an extra effort and making them believe that they have defeated the American administration.

"But I can tell you that they haven't defeated the Iraqi government."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01182007/news/worldnews/maliki_fries_rice_worldnews_andy_soltis.htm

Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates have suggested Maliki could lose his job if he doesn't reduce the bloodshed between Sunnis and Shiites. But Maliki implied such criticism only helps fuel terrorism.

White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe acknowledged that some of Maliki's points were "valid" and that the equipping of his security forces would be sped up.

He could be the very devil himself and I would still have to agree with him on the first point...and he's going to get what he wants, obviously.

For the most part, they've received just that.

HUH??? Think back to the 2004 election cycle.
Apr-04:
KIA hostile = 126
non-hostile = 9
Total deaths = 135

This figure is nearly DOUBLE the number of deaths in any given month in the first year+ of the war.

What happened in this country in April 2004?
The Presidential election cycle began in earnest...Dean, carry, Edwards...trying to outdo each other in condemning the President and the war.

Then there was election month, November 2004.
"Coincidently" - November 2004 was the largest casualty rate we have sustained to date.
Nov-04:
kia...125
n-h...12
ttl...137

Think back through the past 14 months and what the demonRATS and half the republicans have said, before the Iraqis voted for their government on December 15, 2005 and 5 months before Maliki was seated.

Remember November 18, 2005!

"Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency," Murtha said in a Capitol news conference that left him in tears. Islamic insurgents "are united against U.S. forces, and we have become a catalyst for violence," he said. ". . . It's time to bring them home."
Murtha -- November 18, 2005

Gee, was al Murthawi issuing orders to our enemies from the nation's capital here...
Islamic insurgents "are united against U.S. forces, and we have become a catalyst for violence,"

You can almost track the rhetoric in CONgress with the casualty rate in Iraq. Oct-06... 99 ... 7 ... 106
Nov-06... 59 ... 10 ... 69
Dec-06... 96 ... 16 ... 112

There have been 5 out of 46 months where our casualties were just over 100. Two of those months occurred in the past three and 2 directly related to election hyperbole. The islamofacists have nothing on our CONgre$$critter$!

Please reread my post. The President has supported Iraq, it's the 'Rats who haven't.

Drat! I meant to add "this is not directed at you personally." My apologies!

There was a 3 hour delay from when I began my post and sent it. The point really is Iraq has not received strong messages of support from the US. The President, yes. The people, yes. Do Iraqis here much of what the people and the President have to say? No! The enemedia will not allow it!

Hi Fred! Sorry I missed you earlier.

In that context, his remarks make sense.

Thanks! For a minute there I thought I was the only one that saw it.

Okay...I have read them all. My vote goes to Lauent Lozano for the best spin job!

said she was "sorry" if Maliki was offended by her comment that his government, a vital cog in President George W. Bush's last-ditch bid to pacify Baghdad, was on "borrowed time."

Thanks for the clarification--I think we're both saying the same thing. :)

Welcome!
I think we're both saying the same thing. :)

Exactly!!! ;*)

here = hear
Sheesh! I must stop multi-tasking. I clearly am too old to make it work!