Posted on 06/14/2008 4:57:02 AM PDT by shrinkermd
June 13 -- The Bush administration's Iraq policy suffered two major setbacks Friday when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki publicly rejected key U.S. terms for an ongoing military presence and anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for a new militia offensive against U.S. forces.
During a visit to Jordan, Maliki said negotiations over initial U.S. proposals for bilateral political and military agreements had "reached a dead end." While he said talks would continue, his comments fueled doubts that the pacts could be reached this year, before the Dec. 31 expiration of a United Nations mandate sanctioning the U.S. role in Iraq.
The moves by two of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders underscore how the presence of U.S. troops has become a central issue for Iraqi politicians as they position themselves for provincial elections later this year. Iraqis across the political spectrum have grown intolerant of the U.S. presence, but the dominant Shiite parties -- including Maliki's Dawa party -- are especially fearful of an electoral challenge from new, grass-roots groups.
"All the politicians are trying to prove that they care more about Iraqis than they do about Americans -- otherwise they know the people and the voters will not support them," said Ala Maaki, a senior lawmaker with Iraqi's largest Sunni political party. "I think we could see al-Maliki and Moqtada Sadr trying to one-up the other today and see who can take the strongest stand against the Americans."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The Post is making something out of nothing. How is it a “dead end” if “talks would continue”? Sounds like Maliki is trying to negotiate a better deal by going negative to the media (he’s learning). When a pact is reached, the story will be buried.
As for al Sadr, I’m all for destroying his capabilities completely so bring it on.
I no longer believe anything these people say.
Remember what a terrible job the Iraqi Army did in Basrah.
The al Maliki government is beginning to think, after its success in Basra and Sadr City, that they might be able to manage alone, and that they won’t need the US for very much longer.
They’re probably right. The Iraqi forces have made a great deal of progress, and while they’re not up to US standards, they may well be reaching the point to where they can handle basic security on their own.
This is what we wanted to happen. It’s just disconcerting when it finally begins.
Good post. I remember GWB saying that if the Iraqi government lets know they want us to leave, we will.
Wonder where we will draw the line?
Mookie has trouble getting people to show up for his demonstrations against the hated Americans.
“Three weeks ago, Moktada al-Sadr called for demonstrations to protest the talks over a status of forces agreement between the Iraqi government and the U.S. government. Sadr called for demonstrations to take place on Fridays after Muslims attend services at the mosque (note: This is an excellent tactic—the Sadrists don’t have to round up people to attend a protest). But Sadr’s call for demonstrations has failed to draw many protesters.”
More here: http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/06/post_26.asp
I get the feeling that no matter what happens it will “be bad” for Bush after the media adds its spin. When Iraq gets to be completely functional and no longer needs us, the MSM will report that as a complete failure for Bush.
Intersting to know that Mookie al-Sadr is regarded by the WaPo to be a “key Iraqi leade”. He’s more an Iranian-paid punk.
I keep thinking of all this training the USA is giving the Iraqui forces to get them ready to defend themselves. They say the police and army are slow to come around. It has taken 6 years to train these guys. Hell, we train our people in 4 to 6 months and turn them loose. What is wrong with that picture?
It’s an inferior culture. Seriously.
This is Middle Easterners doing their two step dance. What you do is ignore it an move on. A deal is done when it needs to be done. Not before.
This is the Middle East. It’s a loser culture. You have to cope with it.
As for the Iraqi Army, they won. And the media proclamations have been buried faster than Al Sadr’s attempts to raise an uprising but no one showed.
Let him get his dwindling forces into the street. This way they will die faster.
And Mookie can continue hide his fat butt in Iran. Until they decide he’s of no further use and kick him out.
You are not only talking about training and releasing into a system.
Here you are released into a stable society.
In Iraq you are released and a high percentage of people quickly become cannon fodder.
It’s a big difference. But the Iraqis have already answered the bell. Now they are taking it to the next level. But the whole armed forces was built from the ground up.
Good plan.
I’ll third that one...
Iraq should have been partitioned. We should have stayed in Kurdistan and kept the oil fields as well.
Sadr should have been dealt with years ago. There’s no excuse for that turd to still be walking around.
That’s one policy decision that I’ll never understand.
Maybe Islamic Rage Boy is available for rent?
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.