In Baghdad, Gates Sees Signs of Progress

[FVZA_Colonel]

Source: Associated Press

By ROBERT BURNS

BAGHDAD - Iraq's political leaders are showing promising new signs of progress toward reconciliation, yet still face difficult decisions on how to stabilize the country, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.

"They seem to have become energized over the last few weeks," Gates told reporters who traveled with him from an international security conference in Munich, Germany. The Pentagon chief added that he wants to "see what the prospects are for further success in the next couple of months."

Gates arrived after dark at Baghdad International Airport aboard an Air Force C-17 cargo plane. He flew by helicopter to a private dinner with Iraq's political leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, as well as U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

In an interview on the trip to Iraq, Gates cited the recent passage of an amnesty law as an example of political progress. He said he would ask Iraqi leaders to assess the prospects for other important steps such as passing a law that would spell out power-sharing between the provinces and the national government.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080210/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gates

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If by "energized" he means passing that joke of a "rehabilitation" law, then sure, I suppose things are going great...

[rpannier]

1. Would that be the Amnesty law the Shiites oppose???

Just curious

[Demeter]

2. And Here I Thought Old Rosie Scenario Had Retired to a Nursing Home

when Reagan pegged out.

[Sam Ervin jret]

3. "Just a few more months." like the soviet perpetual five year plan to the people's economic revival

and we all know how well that worked out.

[gateley]

4. In Baghdad, Gates sees what Bushco tells him to see. nt

[nealmhughes]

5. How odd, not an hour ago the AFP wire was reporting 43 dead in Baghdad today from intercine strife.

I guess it was that traditional Arab greeing, which along with flowers and candy involves gunfire. :sarcasm:

[LynnTheDem]

6. The bushCartel see many signs. Signs that only they can see.

Must be very liberating to be totally ignorant of reality.

[alfredo]

7. Of course he was in the Green Zone protected, insulated, and pampered.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Do they ever not?

I would like to find three news reports over the last five years in which these dumbfucks ever say that progress has stalled or reversed. I doubt you'll find any such statements.

[Solly Mack]

9. So he sees signs of progress in the Green Zone?

What? Someone build an Olive Garden?