Today's Article
How much longer
can George W.
Bush claim that his
fruitless
nation-building of
Iraq is the wish of
the people?
can George W.
Bush claim that his
fruitless
nation-building of
Iraq is the wish of
the people?
The American Spark
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Iraq Prime Minister Calls For US Withdrawal Timetable
By Cliff Montgomery - July 7th, 2008
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki acknowledged Monday that his government and his people want a definite
timetable for an American troop withdrawal. Maliki hopes it will be part of a security deal his cabinet is
negotiating with the Bush Administration.
The prime minister discussed Iraq's hopes for a U.S. withdrawal timetable during a "question-and-answer"
session with Arab ambassadors about American-Iraqi security negotiations.
The exchange occurred during an official visit by Maliki to the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi. The
session was broadcast on Iraqiya state television.
"Today, we are looking at the necessity of terminating the foreign presence on Iraqi lands and restoring full
sovereignty," Maliki said to the ambassadors.
"One of the two basic topics is either to have a memorandum of understanding for the departure of [U.S.]
forces, or a memorandum of understanding to set a timetable for the presence of the forces, so that we know
(their presence) will end in a specific time."
It is the first public statement from Maliki which clearly has called for an American troop withdrawal timetable.
It is a demand based both on reason and the Natural Right of a people to run their nation and their lives as
they see fit. Thus any idea of a timetable is vigorously opposed by George W. Bush.
Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, Maliki's national security adviser, stated to The Associated Press (AP) that the Iraqi
government wants a timetable based on the capacity for Iraq's home forces to provide adequate security.
That's not as clear-cut as it sounds. As long-time readers of The American Spark know, there's long been
serious questions about the effectiveness of Iraq 'security forces'.
Shi'ite Islamist political groups have enforced an extremist Islamic rule in Iraq's oil-rich southern provinces,
often employing their private armies to spread terror in the region, tribal Shi'ite leaders have said.
The spreading Islamist religious tyranny allows only religious music to be heard in public places, and forbids
dancing as well as alcohol use. And of course, women now are being humiliated and harassed for wearing
"inappropriate" clothing.
But none of these developments have kept the Bush Administration from maintaining a cozy friendship with
the Shi'ite extremist Maliki government in Baghdad. The prime minister's party is known as the Islamist Shi'ite
Alliance.
Nor have Bush's deals with Iraq's large Sunni groups been much better. In fact, Sunni rebels battling the U.S.
occupation of Iraq have used the Bush Administration's wishful thinking about al-Qaeda to its own advantage.
Iraqi Sunni groups supposedly form into American-backed "Awakening Councils" to pursue "al-Qaeda" in their
nation.
But these councils instead serve to reduce American military pressure on Sunni rebels who join the units, while
allowing the insurgents to establish new political bases from which they may reign down attacks on both U.S.
and Iraqi Shi'ite forces.
Besides those matters, Maliki also has stated that his security deal with the Bush Administration should be
based on a short-term interim agreement, instead of the formal agreement status which both sides so far have
failed to create.
The agreement "now on the table" contains a basis of action for the eventual withdrawal of American soldiers,
added Maliki.
"The goal is to end the presence (of American and other foreign troops)," stated Maliki.
A new deal is needed, as the current U.N. mandate allowing an American troop presence in Iraq will expire at
year's end. But several Iraqi lawmakers fear that a formal troop agreement with the Bush Administration may
threaten their country's sovereignty.
So with even Iraq's top elected official now demanding a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, how much
longer can George W. Bush claim that his fruitless nation-building of that country is the wish of the Iraqi
people?
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - July 7th, 2008
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki acknowledged Monday that his government and his people want a definite
timetable for an American troop withdrawal. Maliki hopes it will be part of a security deal his cabinet is
negotiating with the Bush Administration.
The prime minister discussed Iraq's hopes for a U.S. withdrawal timetable during a "question-and-answer"
session with Arab ambassadors about American-Iraqi security negotiations.
The exchange occurred during an official visit by Maliki to the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi. The
session was broadcast on Iraqiya state television.
"Today, we are looking at the necessity of terminating the foreign presence on Iraqi lands and restoring full
sovereignty," Maliki said to the ambassadors.
"One of the two basic topics is either to have a memorandum of understanding for the departure of [U.S.]
forces, or a memorandum of understanding to set a timetable for the presence of the forces, so that we know
(their presence) will end in a specific time."
It is the first public statement from Maliki which clearly has called for an American troop withdrawal timetable.
It is a demand based both on reason and the Natural Right of a people to run their nation and their lives as
they see fit. Thus any idea of a timetable is vigorously opposed by George W. Bush.
Mouwaffak al-Rubaie, Maliki's national security adviser, stated to The Associated Press (AP) that the Iraqi
government wants a timetable based on the capacity for Iraq's home forces to provide adequate security.
That's not as clear-cut as it sounds. As long-time readers of The American Spark know, there's long been
serious questions about the effectiveness of Iraq 'security forces'.
Shi'ite Islamist political groups have enforced an extremist Islamic rule in Iraq's oil-rich southern provinces,
often employing their private armies to spread terror in the region, tribal Shi'ite leaders have said.
The spreading Islamist religious tyranny allows only religious music to be heard in public places, and forbids
dancing as well as alcohol use. And of course, women now are being humiliated and harassed for wearing
"inappropriate" clothing.
But none of these developments have kept the Bush Administration from maintaining a cozy friendship with
the Shi'ite extremist Maliki government in Baghdad. The prime minister's party is known as the Islamist Shi'ite
Alliance.
Nor have Bush's deals with Iraq's large Sunni groups been much better. In fact, Sunni rebels battling the U.S.
occupation of Iraq have used the Bush Administration's wishful thinking about al-Qaeda to its own advantage.
Iraqi Sunni groups supposedly form into American-backed "Awakening Councils" to pursue "al-Qaeda" in their
nation.
But these councils instead serve to reduce American military pressure on Sunni rebels who join the units, while
allowing the insurgents to establish new political bases from which they may reign down attacks on both U.S.
and Iraqi Shi'ite forces.
Besides those matters, Maliki also has stated that his security deal with the Bush Administration should be
based on a short-term interim agreement, instead of the formal agreement status which both sides so far have
failed to create.
The agreement "now on the table" contains a basis of action for the eventual withdrawal of American soldiers,
added Maliki.
"The goal is to end the presence (of American and other foreign troops)," stated Maliki.
A new deal is needed, as the current U.N. mandate allowing an American troop presence in Iraq will expire at
year's end. But several Iraqi lawmakers fear that a formal troop agreement with the Bush Administration may
threaten their country's sovereignty.
So with even Iraq's top elected official now demanding a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, how much
longer can George W. Bush claim that his fruitless nation-building of that country is the wish of the Iraqi
people?
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!