Posted on 07/27/2007 7:01:24 PM PDT by blam
Iraqi leader tells Bush: Get Gen Petraeus out
By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:44am BST 28/07/2007
Stormy relationship: Nouri al-Maliki and Gen David Petraeus
Relations between the top United States general in Iraq and Nouri al-Maliki, the country's prime minister, are so bad that the Iraqi leader made a direct appeal for his removal to President George W Bush.
Although the call was rejected, aides to both men admit that Mr Maliki and Gen David Petraeus engage in frequent stand-up shouting matches, differing particularly over the US general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen to fight al-Qa'eda.
One Iraqi source said Mr Maliki used a video conference with Mr Bush to call for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bush that if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," said the official. "Bush told Maliki to calm down."
At another meeting with Gen Petraeus, Mr Maliki said: "I can't deal with you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you."
Gen Petraeus admitted that the relationship was stormy, saying: "We have not pulled punches with each other."
President Bush's support for Mr Maliki is deeply controversial within the US government because of the Iraqi's ties to Shia militias responsible for some of the worst sectarian violence.
The New York Times claimed yesterday that Saudi Arabia was refusing to work with Mr Maliki and has presented "evidence" that he was an Iranian intelligence agent to US officials. "Bush administration officials are voicing increasing anger at what they say has been Saudi Arabia's counterproductive role in the war," it reported.
Alongside the firm support of Mr Bush, Mr Maliki also enjoys the backing of Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador and his predecessor, Zalmay Khalilzad, now America's representative at the United Nations.
Mr Khalilzad took a swipe at Saudi Arabia in an editorial published earlier this month that was widely seen as an appeal for a larger UN role in stabilising Iraq.
Mr Crocker, who attends Mr Maliki's stormy weekly meetings with Gen Petraeus, said the Iraqi leader was a strong partner of America.
"There is no leader in the world that is under more pressure than Nouri al-Maliki, without question," he said. "Sometimes he reflects that frustration. I don't blame him. I probably would too."
Hmmmm...the Good General must be doing his job.
I’ve got a better idea. Let’s replace Maliki.
Sadly, I’m not sure the Iraqi’s are ready for democracy. Perhaps in another five hundred years their inbred tribes will evolve to the point of embracing a representative pluralistic style of government.
If the provisional head of a puppet government liberated by US forces did this to Patton he’d be sucking on the business end of an M1911A1.
Man, what I'd give to be a fly on the wall during those confrontations.
“... keep your enemies closer.”
If Maliki is an Iranian intelligence agent, then he will be very useful to us.
He must be wetting his pants daily if it’s true. He will achieve nothing for Iran in the long run.
You DO have abetter idea. Maliki is a dope.
Maliki doesn’t see Iraq—he still sees Sunni and Shia. He’s the wrong man in the wrong position at the wrong time.
That’s why George Bush will not do anything.
He’ll just say “Doing a heck of job there,Maliki!”
The US military has gained credibility with the Iraqis since the General has taken over. We can’t replace Maliki, but if his people like what we’re doing more than he....guess who goes.
“Bush administration officials are voicing increasing anger at what they say has been Saudi Arabia’s counterproductive role in the war,”
Welcome to the world of the Harith and the Hazimi Mr President.
TE Lawrence said it best.
As long as the arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people, greedy, barborous and cruel.
Nothing has changed.
Agreed. At this point Maliki is irrelevant anyways. I just wish the Brits would have surged along with us in the South to put down Iranian influence
It's too bad the USA didn't do to Iraq as we did to Japan and Germany after WWII. We ran the complete show until it worked. We handed Iraq over to the Iraqis' way to soon, IMPO.
What’s this? Our puppet prime minister of Iraq isn’t really our puppet?
What? We aren’t pumping and stealing all the Iraqi oil either?
But that’s not what I was told about Iraq!!!! /wah/sarc
I guarantee you Maliki wouldn't have a problem with our arming Shiite militias to do the same thing.
Good job, General:)
I am sure that this article is 100% FALSE.
Maliki is a jackass.
Petraeus must but putting pressure on the Arabs. They hate that.
100% FALSE
Agreed, all I had to see was UK Telegraph as the source.
The Telegraph (UK) is a pretty reliable newspaper and one of the most conservative in the UK.
If they say something is up, it usually is.
Democracy is now and always has been MOB RULE and democrats are mobsters.. Democracy is perfect for Iraq and Afganistan.. Democracy is very tribal like Sharia law... Democracy works(more or less) with a MOB or group of Mobs in control..
The most primitive tribal structure operates in a democratic way.. MOB Rule.. Even Chimps operate democratically.. ALL democrats operate on the same level as a Chimp..
THATS WHY? the American Constitution has 3 words not present anywhere within it..
1) democratic..
2) democracy..
3) democrat..
ON PURPOSE...
A crack in the radical Islam network is forming. Various sides are at e=one another’s throats, exposing the other as enemies.
I’m taking the ‘dis-trust until it’s verified approach’, though I thank you for the input, admittedly, I jumped the gun and associated them with BBC, ABC, NBC, ect.
This is from the UK Telegraph, I’ll need proof.
Hey fellow MONTANAN. Lawrence of Arabia should be required viewing in schools instead of the liberal **** they spoon feed the kids now.
Yep, I do need some sleep-eye, see ya’ll in the mornin.
Keep up the good work General.
I hope the General is watching his back. These people have a history of deceiving/ambushing their opponents.
The fact that he is now trying to oust Petraeus indicates that Petraeus is having some significant success, which threatens their plans.
Yeah, liberaltarians don’t want to do what’s really needed in Iran and Iraq.
Denazification, cumulative review. Report, 1 April 1947-30 April 1948.
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/History.Denazi
Our leadership is wanting to run things the way their ancestors in the “Old Country” (Sicily) did after having instituted their import economy here. They don’t want freight fuel to go higher, so they’re pushing our politicians and generals to avoid actually fighting and finishing the War.
Occupy and denazify Iran and Iraq.
For those of us whose allegiance is to America and not old Europe, do the right thing. Write Duncan Hunter in.
Actually, Patton carried a Colt Army single-action .45cal revolver, a Smith-and-Wesson .357 magnum, and a Colt Pocket Hammerless, but you are correct; anyone who dared attempt something like this would have quickly found himself on the business-end of one of Patton’s pistols.
Here’s a better idea, what we should have done from the beginning. Make General Petraeus Prime Minister of Iraq. It worked for MacArthur. I guess all those geniuses in the state department decided they were smarter than the greatest generation.
Patton would not be permitted to serve in today's military.
Of course, in Patton's day we wouldn't have a "puppet" from a party that supported the Ayatollah Khomeni and bombed our embassies either.
But don't worry, all this compassionate nation building is going to pay big dividends.
I don't know for sure, just as you don't. Arguing about it serves no purpose. Maybe it'll be proved/disproved in the days ahead.
It would just be perfect if this guy is a tool for Iran.... what else could possibly go wrong.
Failure, thy name is Bush.
Doesn't need to be disproved. The burden is to prove something. Some named sources would be nice.
But I don't see what the problem is. The Iraqis all have their purple fingers and with their purple fingers elected a legislature that made Maliki their prime minister. Shouldn't we recognize the wishes of the leader of a sovereign nation? After all he was democratically elected and that's why US forces are there isn't it....
oh lord, another Bushbot who can’t handle the mothership taking some criticism.
Not happenin’ Next!
TE Lawrence said it best.
As long as the arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people, greedy, barborous and cruel.
Nothing has changed.
________________________
Sigh..................true.
I go way on record as supporting Petraeus. Did some Saudi media guy buy this article? Probably.
Is al-Ameriki going to have to roll our eyes while the Shia and Wahhabi financiers take this battle places it wouldn't otherwise naturally go? Probably.
Ix-nay on-yay at-thay ought-thay!
Oh Lord, another Bashbot working for Hill-Knowlton.
huh?
i do have to say you’re rude. bashing me for no reason. speaks rather poorly of you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.