Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki changes his tune as to Biden's Plan for Iraq.

[Steve_in_California]

October 3, 2007
Press Release

Iraq's President Talabani Expresses Support for Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment


Washington, DC – Today, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. President Talabani welcomed the Senate’s approval of the Biden-Brownback amendment last week supporting federalism in Iraq, on a bipartisan vote of 75-23. He expressed his strong belief that the amendment promotes the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and is not, as some have mischaracterized it, a call for partition. He also emphasized that the amendment is completely consistent with the decision Iraqis have made to adopt a federal form of government in their Constitution.

In addition, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, speaking in Arabic on Tuesday to al-Iraqiyah Television, made the following remarks regarding the Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment: “They said they welcomed federalism. If federalism is what they really meant, why not? Federalism, after all, is stipulated in the Constitution. We, too, talked about federalism as this is a constitutional issue.”

Senator Biden said, “I welcome President Talabani's support for the Biden-Brownback amendment, and also Prime Minster Maliki's comments. Some – both in the United States and Iraq – have tried to mischaracterize our amendment as calling for the partition of Iraq. It is nothing of the sort. It calls for keeping Iraq together by bringing to life the federal system enshrined in its constitution. A federal Iraq is a united Iraq and the best path to a political settlement that virtually everyone agrees is necessary if we are to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.”

###

[saltpoint]

1. Quite a huge shift in the news over the course of just a couple days.

Zowie.

Biden plays at the grownups' table and knows which cards to lay down -- and when.

Nice one, Senator Biden.

Yo, Condi -- see he how he did that? Take notes.

[babylonsister]

2. Hmmm, I wonder.

:hi: It wasn't a partition, but it was.



I like Dodd. :D

[saltpoint]

9. Hi, babylonsister. I'm a Biden AND a Dodd fan from way back and find

much to like in replacing the fake cowboy monkey with either of them.

Also thrilled with John Edwards' emphasis on poverty, Barack Obama's early-career community-building, Gov. Richardson's energy & diplomacy chops, Gravel's straight talk on nearly everything, and Kucinich's fightin' Dems zip.

Also could very enthusiastically support Bill Bradley, Al Gore, Gary Hart, and RFK Jr..

Less thrilled with New York's junior senator but if my fellow primary-votin' Democrats nominate her, I'll support the ticket.

On Dodd: he has spent very little of the money he's raised so far. He could get into the thick of this thing in a hurry, IMO.

[Steve_in_California]

5. Simply Masterful.

This man has turned out to be the nation's most effective leader in generations.

[saltpoint]

10. Hi, Steve. I don't think "mastery" is hyperbolic in Biden's case, since his

foreign policy expertise is documented and demonstrable.

And god knows we could use someone who's good at something for a change. I'm afraid Mr. Bush has left us all a huge mess.

[gateley]

3. Wow. That IS a turn around for the PM. Excellent news. Biden's plan is

being accepted by more as time goes on.

And leave it to Biden to get the heck over there to seal the deal (whatever that entails) and establish a rapport.

[Think82]

4. KICK!

[kevinmc]

6. Link? ... n/t

[PatSeg]

11. Here's the link

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48733990_joe_biden_iraqs_president_talabani_expresses_support_biden_brownback_federalism_amendment

[babylonsister]

7. Good point-link? And thanks. nt

[Spinzonner]

8. Yes, but the Devil's in the Details

And will the power centers behind the governmental leaders accept it ?

[gateley]

13. We can't engage in conjecture -- look where that got Bushco. Either the

leaders will accept it or they won't. We won't know until we try. For the first time, there is some forward motion in this situation, and I'm eager to see where it takes us.

[jillan]

12. Why is this not on the greatest page with 100+ recs? This is not about Biden

this is about a change of strategy in Iraq!