Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki demands US withdrawal timetable

[existentialist]

Source: The Times (of London)

Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki demands US withdrawal timetable


James Hider in Baghdad
Iraq said for the first time yesterday that it wanted to set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from its territory.

President Bush has long resisted a schedule for pulling his 145,000 soldiers out, arguing that it would play into the hands of insurgents. Nouri al-Maliki, the Shia Prime Minister, who boasted last week that he had crushed terrorism in the country, suggested that it was time to start setting time-lines.

“The current trend is to reach an agreement on a memorandum of understanding either for the departure of the forces or to put a timetable on their withdrawal,” Mr al-Maliki said during a visit to the United Arab Emirates. He rejected efforts by Mr Bush to hurry through an agreement on vital issues such as the immunity of US troops in Iraq and use of the country’s airspace. Mr Bush had hoped to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by the end of July to establish the basis for a long-term presence of US troops in the country.



Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/articl...

[krispos42]

1. Update:

Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has abruptly resigned to "spend more time with his family".

[Faux pas]

7. Uh, I imagine resigning would be the easy way out.

[THale2]

10. LOL

Good One...HA HA..The Chenyster is about to make a trip

[truthisfreedom]

2. Wow, color me impressed. How long will he be in place?

Sounds like he's rootin' for 'Bama. Imagine McLame's indignation.

[AntiFascist]

3. K&R, so long PNAC! n/t

[eridani]

4. In other news

Lambchop bit Ms. Lewis a hard one right on the nose. Lambchop retires to the sock puppet drawer.

[sasquatch]

5. What the spread on how long this guy lives to see tomorrow?

[chknltl]

6. Works for me... Mission Accomplished there bush, bring em on home!

[DCKit]

8. This is really going to screw up Big Oil's plans for the M.E..

They won't be able to claim what was promised in Cheney's energy meetings without enforcers.

[liberal N proud]

9. Didn't Dick and Bu$h say we would leave when they wanted us to leave?

I recall something about that in the news shortly after we invaded

[mdmc]

27. post invasion planning =

we will stand down when the Iraqis stand up.

[truth2power]

28. Looking downthread

I don't see any answer to this. Various members of the Bush administration have repeated that all the Iraqis have to do is tell us to leave. Of course that's a lie from the git-go. But I wonder how these vermin are going to spin this.

God, I hate these execrable insects!!

[Amonester]

41. I saw a link to that * interview yesterday on DU.

Chimpy said it not only once, but twice.

Should we have ANY reason to BELEIVE he didn't... hmmmm... LIE again?

hmmmm?

[tekisui]

11. And, the Pentagon said it's not up to the Iraqis:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Preening Fop]

12. So Sorry (former) Prime Minister, the Imperial U.S. Empire is not finished Pillaging.

[Finite]

13. Why do I suspect

That Obama (if elected) will continue the Repub policy of talking about 'pulling out', but in reality leave a large number of military bases there?

Why do I also suspect that he'll help the US oil companies to screw over Iraq?

Meh, maybe I'm being too cynical.

[Fly by night]

16. Because you're an idiot?

That would be my guess.

Welcome to DU.

[mdmc]

29. I'm sure President Obama will admit defeat and withdraw

and will not be tempted to stay the course, "only smarter".

[sourmilk]

18. A foreign government doesn't build PERMANENT bases only to pull out.

The oil wealth of Iraq is ASTRONOMICAL, and they currently have only about 1/100 of the drilling capacity of Texas...

The US will never leave willingly, and just being POTUS isn't going to make Congress and the Senate vote for it.

WHOLESALE CHANGE is necessary.

[Lasher]

21. The President of the US doesn't need Congressional approval to withdraw forces from Iraq. n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

20. OK, I Give Up.

Why do you suspect that?

[Hydra]

30. You're probably not wrong

We can hope otherwise, but the idea that we choose our presidents is so passe according to the powers that be.

[Spouting Horn]

42. Screwing over Iraq

like they're screwing over Kuwait, Saudi, UAE, Qatar...?

[frogcycle]

50. Why do I suspect

that there are only so many options, and we can either work for and support the best one available or crawl under a rock. I know what I intend to do - you can make up your own mind.

[happygoluckytoyou]

14. IN A RELATED STORY....

a large statue of Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was toppled by US troops today in baghdad square. the headless statue was then dragged around the square. when reporters sought out the Prime Minister, he was nowhere to be found. search parties have been sent out to spider holes throughout the war-torn country.

[Loudmxr]

15. Oh I think Its time fer some regime change!!

[MasonJar]

17. Did not the Pentagon reply yesterday that there would be no timetable?

[niceypoo]

19. But, but...

...who will guard the oil sparky!?!

[xchrom]

22. hmmmph -- the left was right again -- and the right --

i guess they've moved on to destroying the economy.

[jimlup]

23. Maliki's days as prime minister may be numbered.

[Plucketeer]

26. I'm hoping...

... Malaki will challenge Pelosi for her gavel.

[DailyGrind51]

24. If we fail to agree to a withdrawal timetable, we become the old Soviet Union!

Hungary, Poland, and Czechoslovakia wanted the Soviets to withdraw, but they had other plans, also.

[harun]

39. It shows the B*sh administration for what it has been all along

and that is determined to occupy and rule that country for as long as they wish. It never said in the beginning this was the plan but all along it was. The Iraqi people are saying HEY WE CAN DO IT ON OUR OWN, the American people are saying HEY LET THEM DO IT ON THEIR OWN and the B*sh admin is making up all the excuses and pushing all the propaganda it can to stay there.

[SHRED]

25. Maliki's people pushing this will soon have "accidents"...

...IMHO.

[kmac3]

31. A graceful out for us, but . . . .

no way will we give up on all that oil! I fear for Maliki at this point if he does not back down . . . but I will have a far greater respect for him if he and his people stand firm on this request.

[Voltaire99]

32. Darth Vader has noted your demands.

That heavy breathing sound? It's how seriously he's taking them.

[MiaCulpa]

33. Iraq insists on withdrawal timetable

Source: Raw Story

Iraq's national security adviser says his country will not accept any deal with the United States unless the agreement sets specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces...

Read more: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Iraq_insists_on_withdrawa...

---

I believe not too long ago, Bush said if the Iraqis asked us to leave, we would go. Wonder what his excuse will be now?

[LynnTheDem]

34. He'll have to come right out with the "white man's burden" crap.

The ol' "we know what's best for the slightly-less-than-human little brown folk."

[jakem]

35. interesting. puppet want to cut the strings?

[rox63]

36. Darn those Iraqis for wanting sovereignty over their own country

[indepat]

37. What's this joker been smoking?

[Shoelace]

38. ya know what really pisses me of?

yea, good to know that the Iraqis are finally getting a backbone. Not that it will do any good with Dubya in power. But, look at that page on Raw Story.
To the left is a pretty bad picture of Obama with the question "Obama Finished?" + "Vote Here Now"!!!
Gawd, I've seen these kinds of pictures all over the internet on every news site but didn't expect to see it in Raw Story.
WTF is up with that? Crikey, if Obama doesn't get elected, we AND the Iraqis can look forward to 100 years more of our presence in their so called sovereign country.

[LiberalLovinLug]

44. Its a propaganda "ad" by newsmax.com

newsmax is a Rethug infested site that litters tons of websites with their seemingly innocent poll ads. You see them everywhere, "who will be McCain's VP - vote here" "Barrack or Hillary - vote here" I think I've even seen them on DU. (could be wrong) They are paid advertisements so that is why they exist on left and right wing sites. But pay them no heed. Those "polls" are to entice you to click. If you click you are just increasing their traffic count and helping them. Their site is set up to look like a legitimate news site until you look closer. No negative McCain stories. Many negative Obama stories.

[paparush]

40. Advise to Maliki - Avoid aircraft, balconies, and letters to you addressed from Washington.

[MindMatter]

48. How come nobody asked any questions when Arafat died?

That looked like a classic case of poisoning if there ever was one. I guess it was just a situation where everybody was ready to see Arafat gone. I wonder how many friends al-Malaki has.

[Black Adder]

43. Sounds like another regime change is necessary!!!!

<img src=>

[Kolesar]

45. Don't you sit under the apple tree

With anybody else but me
Anybody else but me
Anybody else but me

[AzDar]

46. And Cheney says : " SO????? "

[Zambero]

47. If we don't comply with Iraq's request , we are an occupying force

It's time to "reaccomplish" the mission.

[Seedersandleechers]

49. This has been going on for years now

Nothing has changed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0607/p01s03-usfp.html

[HowHasItComeToThis]

51. GET OUT UGLY AMERICANS

GEORGE BUSH IS YOUR ARCHETYPE

[Doc Martin]

52. Ungrateful colony!

What is an empire to do??????????

[guitar man]

53. hmmmm

I guess it was just another one of *junior's lies

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/24/politics/poli...

(The Politico) President Bush said today if the Iraqi government were to ask the United States to leave Iraq, he would grant the request.

"We are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government. This is a sovereign nation. Twelve million people went to the polls to approve a constitution. It's their government's choice,’’ the president said during a Rose Garden news conference. "If they were to say leave, we would leave."

[E-Z-B]

55. LOL!

Just like how he would fire anyone involved with the CIA leak.

[guitar man]

56. pretty much

and the fact that the spineless mainstream media and the blank check "Democratic" congress won't hold his feet to the fire over this shit just tells me we've lost our country, completely.

[ohio2007]

54. Maliki is saying they have a handle on things

Militias finished in Iraq's Basra: governor

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080708/wl_nm/iraq_basra_dc... ;_ylt=AmVQJxpSZGad.KsB9rVwFBtX6GMA

Maliki didn't say ZERO troop levels will be his goal when setting a time table.

imo,
they are willing to gamble their own people will back the Maliki governments talk in calling for the reduced footprint timetable.
The October elections draw near. ....

Whats mookie promising the masses from his dorm room in Qom ?

boycott?



yep

[ohio2007]

57. Iraq handing out cash to people on the streets

BAGHDAD - It is a politician's dream: Handing out cold, hard cash to people on the street as they plead for help. Iraq's prime minister has been doing just that in recent weeks, doling out Iraqi dinars as an aide trails behind, keeping a tally.The handouts by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and a handful of other top officials are authorized _ as long as each goes no higher than about $8,000, and the same people don't get them twice. Aides say they are meant merely to ease the pain a bit, and are motivated by a belief that better conditions will lead to more security.

The cash handouts are just one small _ if eye-catching _ part of a major investment push this summer by Iraq's government. The aim is to rebuild basic services and jumpstart Iraq's damaged economy by quickly distributing as much of the country's glut of oil revenue as possible.

U.S. officials and a fed-up American public are urging exactly that _ for Iraq to spend its own money, not America's, to rebuild the country now that violence has eased.


snip
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080713/tap-iraq-money-as-...

As for al Sadr economic stimulus package;
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

after a few months, dunno how that idea is catching on.

[paparush]

58. Cheney- "I find your lack of faith disturbing"

<inseert Sith death grip here>

[ohio2007]

59. U.S. Considers Increasing Pace of Iraq Pullout

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, according to administration and military officials, raising the prospect of a far more ambitious plan than expected only months ago.

Such a withdrawal would be a striking reversal from the nadir of the war in 2006 and 2007.

One factor in the consideration is the pressing need for additional American troops in Afghanistan,
...
snip
Although no decision has been made, by the time President Bush leaves office on Jan. 20, at least one and as many as 3 of the 15 combat brigades now in Iraq could be withdrawn or at least scheduled for withdrawal, the officials said.

The desire to move more quickly reflects the view of many in the Pentagon who want to ease the strain on the military but also to free more troops for Afghanistan and potentially other missions.

The most optimistic course of events would still leave 120,000 to 130,000 American troops in Iraq, down from the peak of 170,000 late last year after Mr. Bush ordered what became known as the “surge” of additional forces.

snip

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/washington/13military...

[eridani]

60. The Green Zone has a Virginia area code

Prolly ticks the Iraqis off no end.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/articl...

The green zone of Baghdad, a highly fortified slice of American suburbia on the banks of the Tigris river, may soon be handed over to Iraqi control if the increasingly assertive government of Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, gets its way.

A senior Iraqi government official said this weekend the enclave should revert to Iraqi control by the end of the year. “We think that by the end of 2008 all the zones in Baghdad should be integrated into the city,” said Ali Dabbagh, the government’s spokesman.

“The American soldiers should be based in agreed camps outside the cities and population areas.

“By the end of the year, there will be no green zone,” he added. “The separation by huge walls makes people feel angry.” Dabbagh acknowledged that getting rid of the green zone would be a huge undertaking, given the thousands of American soldiers, private contractors and foreign workers who live inside. He said the concrete walls that divide it from the rest of the city would be taken down slowly, “depending on the threat and circumstances”.

The prospect may prove disconcerting for the Americans, who have just begun to transfer their diplomatic operations in the zone from Saddam Hussein’s Republican Palace to a new embassy, the largest and most expensive in the world.

The £300m building, at the heart of the green zone, protected by blast walls and layers of barbed wire, is the size of the Vatican City. It is virtually a self-contained town, with a heli-pad, sewerage and water treatment plants, a telephone exchange with a Virginia dialling code, a swimming pool and a bombproof gym. It will contain 619 blast-resistant flats.

Under the Baghdad government’s plan the embassy will remain but the Iraqis will take back the five-square-mile secure “bubble” surrounding