Posted on 01/21/2010 6:22:10 AM PST by Libloather
Biden Heading To Baghdad Amid Election Tensions
by The Associated Press
January 20, 2010
An upcoming election intended to ease Iraq's sectarian rifts is instead dredging up old hostilities — with the White House sending Vice President Joe Biden to smooth tensions between the Shiites who hold power and the Sunnis who want a greater slice of it.
Some Sunni leaders have been outraged by the Shiite-led government's political blacklist against perceived backers of Saddam Hussein's Sunni regime, and by officials in a Shiite holy city vowing to banish any Saddam loyalists before the balloting for parliament in six weeks.
The growing quarrels have pulled Washington back into power plays between the majority Shiites and the Sunnis who seek to regain a stronger political voice in the March 7 elections, which U.S. officials hope could be a milestone for reconciliation and clear the Pentagon to accelerate troop withdrawals.
Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, said Biden will visit Iraq to press the government to suspend efforts to block suspected members of Saddam's Baath Party from public jobs until after the voting. But Talabani told the Al-Mustaqbal satellite TV channel that it's unclear whether Iraq would agree, saying the government will "move according to Iraqi interests."
Talabani did not say when Biden was scheduled to arrive, but some Arab media reported it could be as early as Thursday. There was no immediate comment from the White House.
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
He’s going to try to unify the Iraqis? Mr. “Divide the country into three separate states...” is now going to call for unity. Now that’s funny...in a tragic sort of way.
“Stand up Chuck!”
ROFLL!!!!!!
the same guy who can’t visit a gas station unless he can speak......
oh my....precious....
Joe: You guys should stop fighting and reconcile. After all, it’s the Christian thing to do.
This is going to be RICH!
Don’t forget the beer nuts,Sheriff Joe!
Ouch !
He will divide them and sit them down to talk.
More likely he’s headed there to delay the signing in of Scott Brown.
Shared laughter is a great way to ease tension. Maybe sending this buffoon over there is a step in the right direction.
My guess is the mere sight and sound of Joe Biden will convince the Iraqis that they could always have it worse.
Joe Biden to Baghdad: Target rich environment
Biden to Shia and Sunni leaders at “summit”: “hey guys, I just love those towels you wear on your heads, so what’s the difference a guy wears a blue towel or a white towel? Can’t you guys just get along. You know, I have a higher IQ than Obama.”
Good Move /s
Biden will go to Iraq.
Say something bidenistic
The Sunnis and Shiites will laugh their butts off at Biden
And then come to the realization that they don’t have it as bad as America.
They’ll shake hands and be best buds.
Maybe Joe is going to move ahead on his plan to split Iraq into three states because it is impossible for Iraq to function as one.
What great news. I know I’ll sleep better tonight knowing Joe has things under control.
“Stand up Saddam!” Let ‘em see ya!”
Gaffemaster B
If anyone can say the right thing to bring these groups that have fought for a 1000 years, it’s Joe!
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