.Iraq PM, U.S. Envoy Issue Rare Statement
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - After a tense week in U.S.-Iraqi relations, the prime minister and the U.S. ambassador issued a rare joint statement Friday in which Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to a "good and strong" relationship with the United States.
The statement also said that Iraq "made clear the issues that must be resolved with timelines for them to take positive steps forward."
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had issued several public statements this week declaring that the United States had no right to impose "timetables" on his government.
That contradicted Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad's assertion that the al-Maliki government had already agreed to set timelines for curbing violence and solving other problems.
The statement was issued after the two men met "to discuss our ongoing efforts to bring peace and security to Iraq and create a better future for all Iraqis," the highly unusual joint statement said.
The U.S.-Iraqi relationship has come under considerable strain recently as Washington stepped up pressure on al-Maliki to move against Shiite militias and death squads that are believed to be conducting a wave of sectarian killings that has moved the nation toward civil war.
Al-Maliki has repeatedly said he would disband "illegal armed groups" but so far has taken little action.
In a bid to dampen speculation about souring U.S.-Iraqi ties, the statement declared:
"The government of Iraq is committed to a good and strong relationship with the U.S. government to work together toward a democratic, stable Iraq, and to confront the terrorist challenges in light of the strategic alliance between the two countries."
There also was rampant speculation in Baghdad that the United States was preparing to dump al-Maliki, who was the compromise candidate for prime minister from among the dominant Shiite Muslims in parliament. His government has been in power five months.
In an apparent bid to squelch the speculation, the statement said, "The United States will continue to stand by the Iraqi government."
MyWay
Sounds a bit embarrassing to have the ambassador and the PM to be using democratic talking points in public?
The statement also said that Iraq "made clear the issues that must be resolved with timelines for them to take positive steps forward."
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had issued several public statements this week declaring that the United States had no right to impose "timetables" on his government.
That contradicted Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad's assertion that the al-Maliki government had already agreed to set timelines for curbing violence and solving other problems.
The statement was issued after the two men met "to discuss our ongoing efforts to bring peace and security to Iraq and create a better future for all Iraqis," the highly unusual joint statement said.
The U.S.-Iraqi relationship has come under considerable strain recently as Washington stepped up pressure on al-Maliki to move against Shiite militias and death squads that are believed to be conducting a wave of sectarian killings that has moved the nation toward civil war.
Al-Maliki has repeatedly said he would disband "illegal armed groups" but so far has taken little action.
In a bid to dampen speculation about souring U.S.-Iraqi ties, the statement declared:
"The government of Iraq is committed to a good and strong relationship with the U.S. government to work together toward a democratic, stable Iraq, and to confront the terrorist challenges in light of the strategic alliance between the two countries."
There also was rampant speculation in Baghdad that the United States was preparing to dump al-Maliki, who was the compromise candidate for prime minister from among the dominant Shiite Muslims in parliament. His government has been in power five months.
In an apparent bid to squelch the speculation, the statement said, "The United States will continue to stand by the Iraqi government."
MyWay
Sounds a bit embarrassing to have the ambassador and the PM to be using democratic talking points in public?
posted by madtom at 3:34 PM
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