Bush: "You've said the Iraqis haven't met any obligations; I would disagree"

[sabra]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070403.html

President Bush Makes Remarks on the Emergency Supplemental
The Rose Garden
10:09 A.M. EDT


<snip>

BUSH: The whole strategy is to give the Iraqi government time to reconcile, time to unify the country, time to respond to the demands of the 12 million people that voted.

You've said the Iraqis haven't met any obligations; I would disagree with your characterization. They have said that they will send Iraqi forces into Baghdad to take the lead, along with U.S. troops, to bring security to Baghdad, and they've done that. They said they'd name a commander for Baghdad; they have done that. They said they'd send up -- they'd send troops out into the neighborhoods to clear and hold and then build; they're doing that. They send they would send a budget up that would spend a considerable amount of their money on reconstruction; they have done that. They're working on an oil law that is in progress.

As a matter of fact, I spoke to the Prime Minister yesterday about progress on the oil law. He reminded me that sometimes the legislature doesn't do what the executive branch wants them to do. I reminded him, I understand what he's talking about. But, nevertheless, I strongly agree that we've got to continue to make it clear to the Iraqi government that this is -- the solution to Iraq, an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself, is more than a military mission -- precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad, to be able to provide some breathing space for this democratically-elected government to succeed. And it's hard work, and I understand it's hard work.

We'll let's dissect:

Bush:

- They have said that they will send Iraqi forces into Baghdad to take the lead, along with U.S. troops, to bring security to Baghdad, and they've done that.

So Iraq troops taking the lead = more US casualties?

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/NATIONWORLD/704010425/-1/ZONES04

Report: U.S. casualties exceed those of Iraq
Military death toll for March is nearly double that suffered by Iraqi forces

BAGHDAD -- The U.S. military death toll in March, the first full month of the security crackdown, was nearly twice that of the Iraqi army, which American and Iraqi officials say is taking the leading role in the latest attempt to curb violence in the capital, surrounding cities and Anbar province, according to figures compiled Saturday.

The Associated Press count of U.S. military deaths for the month was 81, including a soldier who died from noncombat causes Friday. Figures compiled from officials in the Iraqi ministries of Defense, Health and Interior showed the Iraqi military toll was 44. The Iraqi figures showed that 165 Iraqi police were killed in March. Many of the police serve in paramilitary units.

Bush:

- They said they'd name a commander for Baghdad; they have done that.

The one the US commanders didn't want?

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-fg-commander13jan13,1,2472302.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Iraqi leader goes own way to fill top post
He picks an unknown to lead forces in Baghdad, which raises questions about his motives.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has filled the top military job in Baghdad with a virtually unknown officer chosen over the objections of U.S. and Iraqi military commanders, officials from both governments said.

Iraqi political figures said Friday that Maliki also had failed to consult the leaders of other political factions before announcing the appointment of Lt. Gen. Abud Qanbar.

Which al-Maliki later demoted?

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2007-03-15/kurd.htm

PM fires general in charge of Baghdad operation

The Iraqi general who commanded the joint U.S.-Iraqi military operation to subdue Baghdad has been fired.

Lt. General Abdoud Qanbar Hashem was forced to retire at a lower rank. His name was included in a list of 1,189 former army officers who were put on pension.

...

But Prime Minister Nouri Maliki first employed him as head of his office and then promoted him to the rank of Lt. General to lead the troops deployed to impose law and order in Baghdad.

There were reports that U.S. commanders were not pleased with Qanbar at the head of the operation.

Bush:

- They said they'd send up -- they'd send troops out into the neighborhoods to clear and hold and then build; they're doing that.

Primarily Sunni neighborhoods...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17888448/site/newsweek/page/2

<snip>

The troops he works with belong to the 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army division. They're rated "combat ready," among the best in the country. "I know if we pulled out now, they could carry on," says the brigade commander's U.S. adviser, Lt. Col. Edward Taylor. The Iraqi brigade maintains 50 checkpoints, most of them at the edge of Adhamiya, to keep Shiite death squads out and Sunni insurgents in. At night they go on joint patrols with the Americans to round up suspected insurgents. Iraqis take the lead knocking on doors now, especially when entering sensitive places like local mosques. As a result of their efforts, Adhamiya's Brigade Internment Facility is filled to overflowing, like practically every other jail in Baghdad.

Not everyone agrees that the brigade deserves such high marks. One high-ranking intelligence officer with the 2/6, a Sunni speaking anonymously because he's not authorized to talk to the press, claims that three of the brigade's four battalions are 60 to 70 percent infiltrated by Mahdi Army militiamen. "Our brigade took 270 prisoners out of Adhamiya so far," he adds. "And how many do you think there was any proof ? Maybe 20, 25. The others were picked up because they were Sunnis. So how many new enemies have we made so far?" Lt. Col. Taylor says he's heard the militia allegations, but he thinks they're overblown. A lot of Iraqi soldiers may sympathize with the Mahdi Army, he says, but that doesn't make them members.

Bush:

- They send they would send a budget up that would spend a considerable amount of their money on reconstruction; they have done that.

But who will do this reconstruction?

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6310861&nav=Bsmh

American diplomat stunned at how deep Iraq's sectarian divide remains

BAGHDAD John Melvin Jones has spent more than two dozen years in the Foreign Service, but he says he's never seen anything like this in his life.

Jones says he was "taken aback" by how deep-rooted Iraq's sectarian tension remains. Jones leads a State Department reconstruction team in Diyala (dee-AH'-lah) province, tasked with helping the government and community rebuild and move more toward democracy.

He tells A-P Radio it's very hard to get sect leaders to come together, whether in person or on issues. Jones says he's often forced to just deal with individuals, or with government go-betweens.

Bush:

- They're working on an oil law that is in progress.

As a matter of fact, I spoke to the Prime Minister yesterday about progress on the oil law. He reminded me that sometimes the legislature doesn't do what the executive branch wants them to do. I reminded him, I understand what he's talking about. But, nevertheless, I strongly agree that we've got to continue to make it clear to the Iraqi government that this is -- the solution to Iraq, an Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself, is more than a military mission -- precisely the reason why I sent more troops into Baghdad, to be able to provide some breathing space for this democratically-elected government to succeed. And it's hard work, and I understand it's hard work.

I'll give Bush this one, but isn't this what this whole thing is all about?

[wake.up.america]

1. Most people say Bush is an idiot. They are right.

[bdamomma]

2. more breathing room for Iraq, no breathing for our troops.

I hate *.

[sabra]

3. additionally surrounding areas around Baghdad are having highest level of violence

since the war...