I guess I see it like this: whether Maliki said this or not, it’s what he believes. I think he believes this thing is over, and that Iraq is now in position to fully take care of themselves. Of coarse he wants enough of our troops around just in case he’s wrong, but each day that goes by gives him confidence in the idea that Iraq is self sufficient.
Well, it's his neck hanging out there and not mine, so if that's what he sees, I hope he's right.
However, my point is thatthose who relied on the AP spent at least 2 days discussing and worrying over something he never said. For some time, the media dismissed Maliki as a non-entity. Now they hang on his ever "translated" word when they can spin it as supporting the position of the Obamasiah. I'm going to hold fire for now.