Posted on 03/04/2006 5:22:11 PM PST by Former Military Chick
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - President Jalal Talabani on Saturday underscored the need for a unity government in Iraq after a spasm of sectarian killing and said he had been assured U.S. forces would remain in the country as long as needed - ``no matter what the period.''
His comments came after a bomb exploded at a minibus terminal during morning rush hour in a southeastern Baghdad suburb, killing seven people and wounding 25, one of a string of explosions in the capital and elsewhere.
The violence shattered the relative calm brought by Fridays' driving ban in Baghdad and its outskirts, which helped avert major attacks on the day Muslims congregate for the most important prayer service of the week.
Talabani spoke to reporters after meeting with Gen. John Abizaid, chief of U.S. Central Command.
Abizaid said he was ``very, very pleased with the reaction of the Iraqi armed forces'' during the crisis unleashed by the Feb. 22 bombing of a sacred Shiite shrine in Samarra and reprisal attacks against Sunni Muslims that pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war.
``We should understand that the terrorists are trying to create problems among the Iraqi people that can lead to difficulties between various groups,'' he said after a separate meeting with Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. ``We should not fall into their trap. We are stronger than they are. We will ultimately prevail.''
Later, Abizaid warned that Iraq can expect more bombings like the one in Samarra.
He blamed Al-Qaida terrorists for the blast and said it marked a clear - and successful - change in tactics by the group in its campaign to ignite civil war among Iraqis.
``I expect we'll see another attack in the near future on another symbol,'' Abizaid said during a stop in Qatar after his two-day trip to Iraq. ``They'll find some other place that's undefended, they'll strike it and they'll hope for more sectarian violence.''
The surge of violence, which has killed at least 500 people since last week, has tangled negotiations to form a new government after December parliamentary elections and threatened American hopes of starting a troop pullout this summer.
Talabani said Abizaid assured him that U.S. forces ``are ready to stay as long as we ask them, no matter what the period is.''
He said the U.S. commander also stressed that ``a strong national unity government made up of all blocs in parliament will help in stabilizing Iraq and bringing peace.''
However, Talabani said his Kurdish followers and their allies will fight against a second term for al-Jaafari.
Sunni, Kurdish and some secular politicians have asked the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance, the largest bloc in parliament, to nominate another candidate. They accuse al-Jaafari of failing to rein in attacks against Sunni mosques and clerics in the aftermath of the bombing of the Shiite Askariya shrine.
``With all our respect to Dr. al-Jaafari, we asked them to choose a candidate who is unanimously agreed on by Iraqis,'' Talabani said. ``I want to be clear, it is not against Dr. al-Jaafari as a person. He has been my friend for 25 years. What we want is consensus.''
Talabani said he hoped to announce soon a date for parliament to convene. But there is little indication a government will be ready by then. As the largest bloc in parliament, the Alliance gets the first chance to form a government, but it must be approved by two-thirds of the 275 lawmakers.
Al-Jaafari's supporters in the United Iraqi Alliance have vowed to resist moves to replace him. But other Shiite leaders are troubled by his close ties to radical young cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose support was key to al-Jaafari's nomination by a single vote in a Feb. 12 Shiite caucus.
Two lawmakers from al-Jaafari's Dawa party and a senior aide to the prime minister visited the Shiite holy city of Najaf on Saturday to seek the endorsement of Iraq's most revered Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
``His eminence stressed two points: first, the importance of the Alliance, its survival and its unity, and second, the necessity of adhering to the decisions that came out of the Alliance,'' lawmaker Jawad al-Maliki said after the meeting.
Hundreds demonstrated Saturday in Amarah and Najaf, in Iraq's southern Shiite heartland, in support of al-Jaafari's bid for another term.
Iraqi soldiers and police - backed in one neighborhood by a Shiite militia the United States wants disbanded - enforced a driving ban that brought relative peace to Baghdad streets Friday.
But as normal traffic resumed Saturday, so did the violence.
The bus terminal blast occurred at the height of the morning rush, setting three minibuses on fire and damaging nearby market stands, police Capt. Ali Mahdi said. The attack struck in a region where 19 people were killed when gunmen stormed an electricity substation and brick factory Thursday night.
Another bombing targeted an Interior Ministry special forces patrol in the Salman Pak area, 10 miles southeast of Baghdad, killing two commandos and wounding two others, police Maj. Falah al-Mohamadawi said.
In Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of the capital, a bomb exploded in a busy commercial area near a shop that repairs radios and tape players, killing a young girl and injuring eight other people, police said.
In the south, a Shiite lawmaker was seriously wounded when gunmen in two speeding cars fired on his vehicle near Basra, Iraq's second-largest city. An aide for Qasim Attiyah al-Jbouri was killed and two bodyguards injured, police Capt. Mushtaq Kadhim said.
The attack against al-Jbouri, the former head of Basra's provincial council who ran for parliament on the United Iraqi Alliance slate, was the second in 10 days. Gunmen on Feb. 24 kidnapped three of his children but freed them unharmed hours later.
Police also found at least four more handcuffed, shot-up bodies dumped in Baghdad and south of the capital.
Associated Press writers Sameer N. Yacoub, Bassem Mroue and Bushra Juhi contributed to this report from Baghdad.
In the war on terrorism we appear to be, as someone said, “between Iraq and a hard place.” And now it looks like an Iraqi civil war is in the making with our troops squarely in the crossfire.
Maybe our military bungled it by sending in ground troops instead of standing back and zapping Iraq to rubble with high-tech naval and air power.
It has long been accepted military strategy not to fight on the enemies’ turf and terms. Our generals seem to have been attending sensitivity classes when that lesson was taught.
Maybe there could be no other outcome given the nature of religious war in a semi-civilized land stuck in time.
At this point it appears that America has done all it can for Iraq. There is nothing more to be gained by spending additional American lives and resources.
I believe history will view the invasion of Iraq by America as a noble and selfless act.
Iraq is one more example of America making the world a better place asking, as General Colin Powell said, “nothing in return but enough ground to bury our dead.”
The U. S. has pried the bloody talons of Saddam Hussein from around the necks of the Iraqi people; removed the use of weapons of mass destruction from the hands of a maniac regime; sacrificed the lives of thousands of American girls and boys; spent uncounted billions of dollars to rebuild Iraq; provided food and medicine to the people; and encouraged the establishment of a democratic government.
Nothing remains to be done except to secure the Iraqi oil flow. We could easily do that by simply seizing the oil fields and operate them under a U. S. protectorate. (Iranian President Ahmadinejad, call your office!)
Iraq has become the central Islamic battleground into which an endless stream of Muslim terrorists can be funneled to grapple with the “Great Satan.”
After a raid into Iraq, Muslims’ flee back across the borders or fade into the civilian population making it impossible for our forces to fight decisive set-piece battles.
The only way the U. S. can win such a fight is to unleash total war on the whole country as we did in World War II on Europe and Japan.
The alternative is to allow another Third World country to hand the U.S. another stalemated military defeat as we suffered in Korea, Vietnam, the Balkans, and Gulf War I.
Muslim countries who covertly or overtly support the Islamic Jihad can easily supply men and war materials to keep a perpetual guerilla war going on forever in Iraq.
Ironically, the steady flow of money needed to support the Islamic war on America comes mostly from the sale of Arab oil to the U. S. and from drug sales to U.S. dope heads.
President Bush has made it clear that our immediate task in Iraq, after removing Saddam, is to stabilize the country, train Iraqi troops, help the Iraqi factions to form a government and assist in the establishment of a constitutional democracy.
But it’s fair for critics of the Bush administration to ask: what is our long term goal in Iraq? Is it to move in as an imperial power and permanently colonize Iraq? Is it to establish democracy as we know it? Is it to bring peace to a part of the world that has seldom known peace?
As to colonizing, I don’t believe Americans would stand for a long occupation of another foreign country, although Iraq would greatly benefit.
And democracy is probably a futile dream. Looking at history a good argument can be made that Middle Eastern nations are not capable of self-government and are very nearly ungovernable except by a theocratic strongman.
The hope that Iraqi forces will ever be trained well enough to keep order and defend Iraqi borders is probably too optimistic. Except for the Turks, Middle Eastern troops have never -- to put it kindly -- demonstrated an ability to perform well as an army.
As for peace, there can never be a realistic peace in a region where personal freedom and liberty are as rare as indoor plumbing.
It’s time, I believe, for us to move on in the war on terrorism. We must establish a series of steps for withdrawing and then carry them out leaving Iraq free to determine its own destiny.
Perhaps this is the President’s plan. If so, he must not explain the timetable to Democrats in Congress, the American media, France, Al Jazeera, or other terrorists’ sources of intelligence.
Still, we must leave within a reasonable time. We cannot nation-sit Iraq forever.
Great. Another permanent welfare client. The President must wake up these guys. They have to wake up before they stand up. There is nothing like setting a date to wake them up, e.g. elections, constitution, goodbye.
I will look for your name on the ballot in '08.
IF you win that election, you will have earned the right to command the military and our country.
Yes we should! Those of us that CHOOSE to find the success stories do. Thank you for posting this article.
KEEP THE PROMISE TO IRAQ!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
President Talabani, maybe it's acceptable in your culture to send your young men and women on suicide bombing missions but rest assured it's not the case with American mothers and fathers. We are getting sick and tired of sending our sons and daughters to be blown up for your hell hole of a country whose current existence is strictly to make wealthy men of those vultures that manipulated a weak American President into a regime change and are now robbing the American taxpayers blind in perpetual reconstruction projects.
You say "U.S. forces would remain in the country as long as needed - ``no matter what the period.''"..........guess again! We have elections coming up and we'll toss out on their a**es those that think they can stay on the FREE pony ride forever.
What a great comment thank you. My beloved is in Iraq and I am anxious to hear how things have changed since his first deployment to Iraq.
As he updates me I will post them on FR.
I do wish the news, would find time to share the successes that occur in Iraq. But as many on FR have said only if it bleeds will it lead. :(
All? You're kidding right? Actually we all were expecting that our small army would be greeted with flowers by a welcoming people after a cakewalk to Baghdad with most troops already home shortly after combat operations were declared over and oil paying the tab. Those that did not expect this like Shineski and the Budget Director were ridiculed then dumped.
We just had THE big election a tad over a year ago. Nothing was said at that time about a withdrawal by the winner of said election.
Do you have a child/spouse/family member in the military? We do not "send" them anywhere. Our military is ALL VOLUNTEER. They are ADULTS and they CHOOSE to go.
Referring to THE President as weak only exposes your ignorance of the man and the job he is doing.
It’s time, I believe, for us to move on in the war on terrorism.
You've got to be kidding.
Why not just give alqueida green cards and go back to sleep?
This IS A LONG TERM proposition we are engaged in, we CANNOT
afford or ALLOW the democrats to peel away support for the Iraqis like they did to the vietnamese after we pulled out, no good can come of it.
We are in a struggle to the death here even if not many are aware of it yet.
Remember too, this is ONLY one front in what will be a protracted conflict, keeping in mind that for the Islamic
fanatics this is only a continuation of a war as old as their religion.
Please send my love and appreciation to him. I will add him to my prayer list.
I have not "seen" you around much lately. You use to have me on your ping list. I would be very interested and excited to hear your beloveds assessment. The soldiers that I talk to are amazed at the progress when they go back.
I don't know the man personally and I presume you don't either, so my opinion of him through observation is as valid as yours. As to the job he's doing, well, I'll be kind and say it sucks and majority of Americans share my opinion.
You want to idolize a 'boob', that's your privilege and prerogative but don't expect everyone else to share your poor taste in statesmanship.
Really??? No proof, just rhetoric. Sounds like someone else we all know. Since when does the minority speak for the majority? This nonsense is getting old.
"We as Democrats may be in the minority in Congress, but we speak for the majority of Americans."
An Address by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (aka Cape Cod Orca) January 12, 2005
don't expect everyone else to share your poor taste in statesmanship.
I don't expect anything from anyone. However, I don't drink the demonRAT kool-aid.
Yes, your kind of blind loyalty is getting old. You want proof? Do your own homework; I'll give you a hint. Check any major poll on Bush's job approval and then eat your own crow. Case closed.
You know what I think when I read articles like this??
I am amazed that the Iraqis have come SO FAR in establishing their government....it is truly something to behold that so much has been accomplished in such a short period of time.
I am sure some people, and ALL Dems would look at me like I have two heads...but, I am pleased with the things that have been done so far...and I am proud that our troops are not only willing to stay...but are being asked to stay.
Check a POLL???!!! ROTFLOL.....LOL
varon, your lame Cindy Sheehan-like rant doesnt represent most mothers and fathers in America, doesnt represent the best of Freepers, and is both offensive and cowardly.
America will NOT bug out on Iraq. We did the right thing to liberate Iraq from Saddam, we did the right thing to stay the course and set Iraq up as a democratic Republic of Iraq, and we are doing the right thing NOW in grinding down the terrorist groups fighting against us.
Those who counsel adandoing of Iraq are wishing the doom of America's pre-eminence.
"Yes, your kind of blind loyalty is getting old. "
But the blind, nutty politics of DIS-loyalty, smearing an excellent President in a time of war, who is thrown the most absurd junk at him from rabidly partisan leftists out to undermine America's stature in the world, that's NOT getting old!?!
Gimme a break!!!
President Bush is truly the Abe Lincoln of our age - Abe was treated horribly by the press, had traitors and second-guessing armchair generals all over the place, had in his own government people that were out to replace him, and Abe's poll numbers were ALSO pretty bad at times.
We've liberated 2 countries from horrible regimes, instituted democratic reforms that have successfully taken hold. How do we know? Check the polls that you think prove everything: Polls of Iraqis and Afghanis confirm a strong commitment to democracy and revulsion at the former pro-terrorist regimes (Taliban and Saddam respectively). Terrorism and Al Qaeda is unpopular in both countries.
More importantly, we've ground down the vast majority of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and estimated about 80% of insurgents and terrorists in Iraq have also been attrited via capture or killing.
The casualty rates for Iraqi and US soldiers has been falling as of late. The enemy is slowing weakening and getting dissolved, in 14 out of 18 of Iraq's provinces, there IS no insurgency to speak of, it is in 4 provinces, and in those 4, the areas of stability are growing.
Iraq's economy and society is getting better and the people are optimistic for even better life in the future.
WE ARE WINNING.
"Check any major poll on Bush's job approval and then eat your own crow. Case closed."
BFD. The media is at war with Bush and has ground down his numbers amongst the uninformed. Why are you joining the ignorant boobs following the flow?
Have you two met Chamberlin?
Better yet, have you met the denizons of Daily Kos? They frequently deal in half truths, lies, and propaganda. You'd both be welcomed there with open arms if these two posts are evidence of anything.
R.W.Ratikal, once you started your post with the non existent Iraqi civil war..it was disregarded as worthless.
varon, I really don't know how any person of good conscience could equate free men and women choosing to put their life on the line voluntarily to protect their own country and free another people as equal to suicide bombers that worship tyranny and death. Therefore I find you lacking in good conscience. Furthermore you are a DAMN LIAR with the spewed rhetoric that a WEAK American president was manipulated...since you care so much about polls why don't you try running a CHECK on his polls in 2002 and 2003. At the time this was being debated and begun. Then don't humilate yourself further by coming back here and trying to justify 2006 polls as influencing a 2002-2003 decision.
As for your sweet fanciful theory Americans are going to toss politicians out for staying in Iraq, go have a chat with Murtha and the House Dems that voted not to withdraw. Go have a little chat with the Dems that only had EIGHT vote against the Patriot Act. Go have a chat with the damn traitors in that party that are so afraid they've weakened themselves into a LOSS over the WOT/Iraq that they tried to present themselves as tough with the ports.
Everytime I come close to considering teaching the spineless Republicans a lesson people like you, or Murtha, cannot keep your traps shut and end up teaching me I've got no choice BUT to put Reps back in despite the fact they are headed by the likes of McCain, and Linds, and Specter.
So keep talking and running your fingers on that typeboard or moving those lips, so that people like myself will remember that more is involved than petty political lessons.
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