.U.S. Envoy Seeks to Reassure Iraqis
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The United States ambassador sought to reassure Iraqis on Wednesday that American policy in Iraq would not dramatically change after Democrats seized control of the House of Representatives in U.S. midterm elections.
In a videotape distributed by the U.S. embassy, Afghan-born envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said President Bush "sees success (in Iraq) as imperative for American's national interests."
Khalilzad, a member of the neo-conservative wing of the Republican Party that pushed for the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, declared that, "Americans are prepared to continue to support Iraq as Iraqis take the needed steps."
"The president is the architect of U.S. foreign policy," the ambassador said. "He is the commander in chief of our armed forces. He understands what is at stake in Iraq ... He sees success as imperative for American's national interest. He is committed to working with both houses of the American Congress to get support needed for the mission in Iraq to succeed."
The tape showed Khalilzad giving his remarks in a room in the embassy Wednesday morning and shaking hands with Iraqis after finishing. The embassy did not explain whom he was addressing.
Some Iraqis voiced hope that the Democrats would be able to change U.S. foreign policy.
"I'm glad the Democrats won and the Republicans lost. I hope this will change the Bush policy in the Islamic world and especially in Iraq," said 48-year-old engineer Suheil Jabar, a Shiite Muslim. "We hope American foreign policy will change and that living conditions in Iraq will improve."
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been at odds with Khalilzad since the U.S. envoy last month announced that the Iraqi government had agreed to a timeline for progress to reduce violence and to pass critical legislation designed to entice the Sunni insurgency into the political process. Al-Maliki hotly denied he was consulted and had agreed to the plan.
The American diplomat, however, continued to hammer away at that theme.
"In the coming weeks and months, American leaders will discuss ways that America can encourage Iraqi leaders to take these necessary steps," Khalilzad said.
MyWay
In a videotape distributed by the U.S. embassy, Afghan-born envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said President Bush "sees success (in Iraq) as imperative for American's national interests."
Khalilzad, a member of the neo-conservative wing of the Republican Party that pushed for the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, declared that, "Americans are prepared to continue to support Iraq as Iraqis take the needed steps."
"The president is the architect of U.S. foreign policy," the ambassador said. "He is the commander in chief of our armed forces. He understands what is at stake in Iraq ... He sees success as imperative for American's national interest. He is committed to working with both houses of the American Congress to get support needed for the mission in Iraq to succeed."
The tape showed Khalilzad giving his remarks in a room in the embassy Wednesday morning and shaking hands with Iraqis after finishing. The embassy did not explain whom he was addressing.
Some Iraqis voiced hope that the Democrats would be able to change U.S. foreign policy.
"I'm glad the Democrats won and the Republicans lost. I hope this will change the Bush policy in the Islamic world and especially in Iraq," said 48-year-old engineer Suheil Jabar, a Shiite Muslim. "We hope American foreign policy will change and that living conditions in Iraq will improve."
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has been at odds with Khalilzad since the U.S. envoy last month announced that the Iraqi government had agreed to a timeline for progress to reduce violence and to pass critical legislation designed to entice the Sunni insurgency into the political process. Al-Maliki hotly denied he was consulted and had agreed to the plan.
The American diplomat, however, continued to hammer away at that theme.
"In the coming weeks and months, American leaders will discuss ways that America can encourage Iraqi leaders to take these necessary steps," Khalilzad said.
MyWay
posted by madtom at 11:02 AM
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