Al-Douri has decided to deal directly with US forces in Iraq, according to al-Jashaami. He figures in the 55-card deck of "most wanted" officials from the former Iraqi regime issued by the US government. In return, for cooperating in the fight against al-Qaeda, al-Douri has asked for guarantees over his men's safety and for an end to Iraqi army attacks on his militias.This is major. Not sure what Maliki has to do with it, though.
The only, singular, reason he is saying this is because he knows they are on the verge of total collapse under the surge. Keep it up, men, and don’t pay any attention to al Douri or Sadr except if you have an open shot, take it.