Posted on 09/10/2005 11:26:17 AM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2005 – Iraq's president today thanked "all the brave American Army" for its sacrifices and losses in liberating Iraq and said his country mourns the loss of American lives in exchange for Iraq's freedom. "We owe to those American heroes who came to liberate us from the worst kind of dictatorship," Jalal Talabani said at the Pentagon after meeting with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and other officials.
"Thanks to your brave Army, now Iraqi people (are free)," he said, adding that for the first time Iraqis have freedom of expression, political parties, media -- "of everything."
He said "the glorious American people" have paid the price for others' freedom throughout history. "You in the United States have paid hundreds of thousands of your sons and your boys in fighting against fascism and in liberating Asian people," Talabani said. "Thanks to you, you liberated Afghanistan from the worst kind of reactionary regime; you liberated Iraq from the worst kind of dictatorship."
Talabani described progress in Iraq's economy and reconstruction, but said that unfortunately the media prefers to cover negative events instead.
"The situation in Iraq is not only black or negative," he said. "I am sorry to say that media was reluctant to reflect the real picture of Iraq."
Rumsfeld said he was pleased with Iraq's progress in drafting a new constitution. "That is difficult work," he said. "It has been watched with great interest, and I want to congratulate you on that progress and on the fact that it protects the rights and the opportunities of all people in Iraq."
Both men expressed optimism in progress being made by the Iraqi security forces.
"The skill of the Iraqi security forces is improving every week," Rumsfeld said.
Talabani said he believes Iraqi security forces will largely be able to provide for the country's security within two years. He surmised that in two years his country will need only small numbers of American troops "to prevent others from interfering in our internal affairs."
Both also vowed to fight terrorism in Iraq and elsewhere.
"The president of the United States and the government of the United States are absolutely determined to see this through to victory and success and to see the Iraqi people off on a path towards a democratic future and a successful future," Rumsfeld said.
Talabani said Iraq is determined to be America's partner in the "fight against tyranny (and) terrorism."
"We are supporting you in your policy in the Middle East; we are proud to be your friends," the president said. "We are proud to be your partners in fighting against terrorism, and we are grateful to you."
"The situation in Iraq is not only black or negative," he said. "I am sorry to say that media was reluctant to reflect the real picture of Iraq."
I'm sure this will be front page on the Washington Post and Boston Globe. /s
The MSM makes me want to vomit for blacking out all good news coming from Iraq.
I am sure the Washington Post and the New York Times are going to run an article similar to this in their Sunday edition... /extreme sarcasm.
Beat me...by 1:46
The Lord Haw Haw brigade -- example -- can take a flying leap.
Our troops paid for Iraq's freedom with their blood. Let's hope their people want it bad enough that they will fight to keep it. God Bless all of our troops!
Shhh don't tell the liberals.
"And I would like to personally castigate the terrorist sympathizers on the American Left who wanted to keep the citizens of Iraq under the murderous regime of Saddam."
I think some time next year we will see the tipping point for the Iraqis to handle much themselves.
The MSM and Democrats, the screaming liberals and crazy Captain Ahabs of the left are going to look pretty foolish in their dire predictions of doom.
Remember the harsh winters of Afghansitan, we would lose as the Soviets did.
Funny how they dont bring that one up anymore.
They are as wrong about Bush and Iraq as they were about Reagan and the Cold War.
Hmm... It's two years to our next Presidential election campaign, at which point the Democrats will be hard pressed to describe Iraq as a failure. The Democrats needed something to use as a campaign issue. Now they can bash Bush for two years about the "quagmire" on the Gulf Coast.
BUMP!
Thank you to all who serve our country..
HEY! LOOK AT THIS, CINDY SHEEHAN AND THE REST OF YOU WHINERS!
I just wish he would mention Salman Pak when he talks about Iraq's past. That terrorist camp has flown under the radar with EVERYONE even the president. I can't believe someone doesn't mention it more.
I just wish he would mention Salman Pak when he talks about Iraq's past. That terrorist camp has flown under the radar with EVERYONE even the president. I can't believe someone doesn't mention it more.
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