Posted on 08/26/2007 5:20:29 AM PDT by Brian Mosely
BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's beleaguered prime minister on Sunday lashed out at American critics who have called for his ouster, saying Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carl Levin need to "come to their senses."
Nouri al-Maliki, who is fighting to hold his government together, issued a series of stinging ripostes against a variety of foreign officials who recently have spoken negatively about his leadership. But those directed at Democrats Clinton, of New York, and Levin, of Michigan, were most strident.
"There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin. They should come to their senses," al-Maliki said at a news conference.
Al-Maliki launched the verbal counteroffensive in the final days before the American commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker are due in Washington to report to Congress on progress in Iraq since the introduction of 30,000 more America troops.
The Shiite prime minister said a negative report by Petraeus would not cause him to change course, although he said he expected that the U.S. general would "be supportive of the government and will disappoint the politicians who are relying on it" to be negative.
Al-Maliki also criticized some U.S. military actions.
"Concerning American raids on Shula (a northern Shiite neighborhood) and Sadr City (the Shiite slum enclave in east Baghdad). There were big mistakes committed in these operations. The terrorist himself should be targeted not his family.
"When they want to detain one person, they should not kill 10 others. These are mistakes which we have to deal with. We will not allow the detaining of innocent people. Only the criminals should be detained," the angry al-Maliki declared.
Two nights ago the U.S. military raided the Shula neighborhood and said it killed eight "terrorists" who had attacked an American patrol from rooftops. Some Iraqis reported many civilians were killed and wounded.
U.S. forces also are routinely raiding Sadr City, often calling in helicopter fire. The U.S. says it targets only Shiite militia fighters. Iraqi officials regularly report civilians killed in the raids.
He’s seen the pictures and doesn’t want to be hanging from the skids of a chopper.
I bet Maliki is aware of "It takes a village...". LOL! Good for him.
Congress has done squat since Pelosi and Reid took over.
They have the nerve to tell him to put his house in order. These people in Iraq chose public service, even though it could cost them their lives.
What trials do our leaders in congress face?
Those that criticize are blithering idiots.
he’s soon to be history
If I were him, I would call for the Resignation of Murtha, Pelosi and Reid for treason.
The necessary spine adjustment was being done behind the scenes.
“he’s soon to be history”
yup
Ngo Dinh Diem II
They should know better. They brag that they can improve relations abroad and then say tings that force one leader after another to defend his honor and sovereignty. Maliki loses face, if he does not fight back.
( Execution site discovered), eight suspects detained
“Al-Qaeda in Iraq members are ruthless terrorists who brutalize, torture, and murder innocent Iraqis in their campaign of senseless terror,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to hunt down and kill or capture these brutal terrorists who seek to deny Iraqis a future of their choice.”
Ordinarily, I would say that is a good thing. I think it was Dave Barry who coined the phrase "if they can't agree, they can't hurt me." But given the gravity of some of the problems we face it's bit different now.
I just wish someone on the right side of the aisle would grow a set and stand up to Reid and Pelosi like Maliki did. Call them out, 'Pubbies. They already look stupid. Capitalizing on Pelosi and Reid's stupidity (and record low approval numbers) should be a no-brainer.....(and that should make the job even easier since there are so many congresscritters who seem to have no brains)
Great point! These DBM/dems are so clueless, arrogantly ignorant, and useless it should make this whole country intolerably sick and tired of their antical political plays.
You're right, the best thing congress can do at times is get out of the way.
“When they want to detain one person, they should not kill 10 others. These are mistakes which we have to deal with. We will not allow the detaining of innocent people. Only the criminals should be detained,”
War doesn’t work that way. Unless the village that supports the terrorists is wiped out it will continue to fester. I don’t agree with the phrase “innocent people”. There may be a few but I don’t believe too many. Look what it took to control Germany.
I guess we’re just not supposed to be fighting a war.
BTTT
Uhh, perhaps accepting bribes, influence peddling, patronage...? (But only Republicans, mostly.)
Mrs clinton thinks that Malaki is a Puppet Gummit. What a baffoon she is criticizing our allies while inviting terrorists to the WH.
Pray for W and Our Troops
The Iraqi government has passed more legislation in the past 18 months than our own congress it just may not be the type of legislation that our congress approves of, not enough bipartisanship.
Now, now, now... be nice.
Why just Saturday before last (8/18) during the Democratic Response to the President’s Weekly Radio Address, it was stated (I’m paraphrasing) that under the Demoncrats, this Congress has done more in six months than the Republicans did in six years.
So there :)
LOL...
ditto.
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