Iraq Leader Maliki Supports Obama's Withdrawal Plans

Spiegel Online ^ | July 19, 2008 | Staff

[MaestroLC]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports US presidential candidate Barack Obama's plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked in and interview with SPIEGEL when he thinks US troops should leave Iraq, Maliki responded "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." He then continued: "US presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."

Maliki was careful to back away from outright support for Obama. "Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business," he said. But then, apparently referring to Republican candidate John McCain's more open-ended Iraq policy, Maliki said: "Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems."

[dbacks]

Something stinks here??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DB]

I think it is as simple as Maliki doesn't think Obama will attack Iran to prevent them from going nuclear and he wants to appease his soon to be far more powerful neighbor.

Foolish man.

[norton]

On one hand I can hardly fault the guy for not coming out and saying that the potential next president of the US (Maliki's best friend) is full of crap for setting a time certain on events we can't foresee.
On the other hand, if I was Jorge Bush, I'd order a withdrawal, to Afghanistan, to begin November first and to be completed with a parade on Inauguration day. Guess that leaves McCain to search for some kind of multi-partisan compromise that his middle worlders can embrace.

[flyfree]

Actually, Maliki is talking about victory.

[Laverne]

I’m wondering if this statement will be somewhat revised over the next 24 hours. Team Obama and his poodles in the media will make it seem that Obama really is the Messiah due to this revelation.

I think Maliki is playing to his home audience because we are in the final stages of negotiating the SOFA. I would bet the SOFA will NOT have a definitive withdrawal date.

Furthermore, I’m surprised that both McCain and Bush have been silent on this. We will writhdraw upon success, “they stand up, we stand down” as has been the policy of the President since day one, or shortly thereafter.

I would have thought the WH would have issued some kind of statement by now on this. Oh well.

I won’t be able to watch a lick of news for the next week as I won’t be able to stomach the obamaisms that will be coming from the media.

[RedRover]

In my experience, the best attitude toward the mainstream media is to mistrust and verify.

[tobyhill]

While I know the MSM is in the tank for Obama one good thing will come out of all this talk, the libs will be in a box after all is said and done because of their previous declarations of defeat.

[muleskinner]

Post 6 explains what Al-Maliki REALLY said.

Obama makes no conditions on a with drawl - 16 months no matter what.

Al-Maliki said, "...if positive developments continue"

[ken21]

gosh, that does it!

the germans have bonded with al obama and the iraqis like his plan,

let’s vote al obama!

/s

[Norman Bates]

You’ve got to be kidding. Maliki just endorsed Obama.

[flyfree]

[flyfree]

No, he just agreed that 16 months sounds about right for us to leave. That is what Maliki has been saying. Haven’t you guys been paying attention?

[DakotaRed]

Bush has been saying all along, “As the Iraqi’s stand up, we will stand down.” It is coming to pass and who grabs credit? Obama, of course, the 143 day wonder.

If Al Qaeda resurges after we leave or during our drawdown, will Obama take blame too?

Somehow, I doubt it.

[Norman Bates]

I cannot read his remarks in any light but that of a non-endorsement endorsement. They’re that bad.

[Norman Bates]

Bush has been saying all along, “As the Iraqi’s stand up, we will stand down.” It is coming to pass and who grabs credit? Obama, of course, the 143 day wonder.

Kinda pisses you off doesn't it?

[God luvs America]

I thought hussien decided against this withdrawal plan on July 4th??? he’s back on it now???

[Norman Bates]

Maliki through his own willfully worded comments has indeed heaped praise on Obama and his candidacy, and his opposition to a potential future President (McCain). What an ass.

[DakotaRed]

And, what does Al Maliki say to Germany?

"What matters most to us is that we develop resilient political relationships and work together economically. Our security forces are steadily improving, partly as a result of German efforts. We will be pleased to turn to the Germans to equip our police and military; and should there be new training programs with the German Bundeswehr, we will be happy to accept their help. However, we would clearly prefer that the training take place in Iraq in the future. Overall, I believe that we are gradually becoming self-sufficient."

Der Spiegel

You're welcome, Al Maliki. How many Germans gave their lives for your freedom?

[CharlesWayneCT]

Wow. That’s quite a re-write.

I do hope we will be largely out in 16 months. We should be able to pull more troops out before the election. I think seeing a good number of troops showing up in October with large victory parades will be a boost to McCain.

[Norman Bates]

Screw Maliki. I’ve thought for a while we should’ve never went to Iraq. This just confirms it. The liberals called it a war for an oil can. It would be if we got any oil from them. Or ANYTHING at all.