Iraq prime minister reportedly wants Petraeus replaced for arming Sunnis

[ProSense]

Iraqi, U.S. officials get testy

Iraq prime minister reportedly wants Petraeus replaced for arming Sunnis
The Associated Press
Updated: 6:15 p.m. ET July 28, 2007

BAGHDAD - A key aide says Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s relations with Gen. David Petraeus are so poor the Iraqi leader may ask Washington to withdraw the overall U.S. commander from his Baghdad post.

Iraq’s foreign minister calls the relationship “difficult.” Petraeus, who says their ties are “very good,” acknowledges expressing his “full range of emotions” at times with al-Maliki. U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who meets with both at least weekly, concedes “sometimes there are sporty exchanges.”

It seems less a clash of personality than of policy. The Shiite Muslim prime minister has reacted most sharply to the American general’s tactic of enlisting Sunni militants, presumably including past killers of Iraqi Shiites, as allies in the fight against al-Qaida here.

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“He told Bush that if Petraeus continues doing that, he would arm Shiite militias. Bush told al-Maliki to calm down,” according to this parliament member, who said he was told of the exchange by al-Maliki.

In Washington, White House officials who have sat in on Bush’s video conferences with al-Maliki denied that exchange took place.

In a public outburst earlier this month, al-Maliki said American forces should leave Iraq and turn over security to Iraqi troops. He quickly backpedaled, but the damage was done.

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[ellenfl]

1. wow, i was SO wrong! things are getting better in iraq! eom