Saturday, July 14, 2007
Maliki to Bush: Ok, you can go now.
The AP is reporting that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that the government can survive without the US. Mind you, he is not saying it will be easy, but they can do it.
"We are not talking about a government in a stable political environment but one in the shadow of huge challenges," al-Maliki said. "So when we talk about the presence of some negative points in the political process, that's fairly natural."The article goes on the indicate that this position arises from some sharp disagreements over strategies and tactics employed by the US troops, including arming groups who will, initially, fight al-Qaeda in Iraq. Wherever it is coming from, it is just that much more that Our Dear Embattled Leader will have to pooh-pooh to keep the troops in Iraq until January 2009.
Al-Maliki said his government needs "time and effort" to enact the political reforms that Washington seeks - "particularly since the political process is facing security, economic and services pressures, as well as regional and international interference."
But he said if necessary, Iraqi police and soldiers could fill the void left by the departure of coalition forces.
"We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want," he said.
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